[2021 Muyeongo Report] Public Funeral Standards and Budgets Vary by Local Government... Government-Level 'Funeral Policy Institutionalization' Needed

<3>Final Farewell

Unclaimed Deaths Under Funeral Services Act Managed by Local Governments
Ministry of Health and Welfare Promotes Institutionalization Through 'Funeral Policy Council'

At around 11 a.m. on the 13th of last month, the funeral procession for the unclaimed deceased Mr. Lee Seonghwa (56, pseudonym) was held at Suwon Yeonhwajang in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province. On that day, the transportation was handled by one hospital staff member, one Yeonhwajang employee, and a reporter from this publication. Photo by Lee Jungyoon leejuyoo@

[Asia Economy Special Reporting Team = Team Leader Ko Hyung-kwang, Reporters Yoo Byung-don, Jung Dong-hoon, Lee Jung-yoon] Deaths without kin have recently become one of the hottest welfare issues in our society. Amid changes in population structure such as family dissolution and aging, interest in lonely deaths and dignified farewells is stronger than ever. However, it is true that institutional changes to improve this issue have been slow.

In fact, the Funeral Services Act stipulates that the mayor of the basic local government is responsible for matters related to deaths without kin. The practical work is also carried out by the basic local governments. Although the Ministry of Health and Welfare is the main government agency responsible for deaths without kin, there is no legal foundation to formulate policies related to such deaths, making it difficult to secure budgets and improve systems. Because of this situation, criticism arises that "the central government does not understand the seriousness of deaths without kin or lacks interest."

The public funeral system for deaths without kin is also entrusted to each local government. Joo Cheol, Director of the Elderly Support Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "Public funeral systems are implemented based on ordinances prepared by each local government," adding, "Standards vary widely, and the level of public funerals differs depending on the budget levels of each local government." In places where a public funeral system is not established, deaths without kin are cremated immediately after being placed in a mortuary without funeral rites for the deceased or time and space for acquaintances to mourn. Even among deaths without kin, the right to a dignified farewell varies greatly depending on where the person was registered and where they died.

At least, individual local governments are increasingly recognizing the seriousness of deaths without kin and providing public funeral services. Shinan County in Jeollanam-do enacted the first public funeral support ordinance in Korea in March 2007. Later, in 2012, Asan City in Chungcheongnam-do became the first local government nationwide to fully support funeral expenses for basic livelihood security recipients without kin. In 2013, Seo-gu District in Gwangju also enacted a public funeral support ordinance. Since 2018, metropolitan local governments such as Seoul, Jeollanam-do, Jeju, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Chungnam, Sejong, Gyeongnam, and Busan (scheduled for the end of this year) have enacted ordinances supporting public funerals for deaths without kin.

The government plans to revise funeral policies and funeral culture overall, including deaths without kin. Director Joo said, "In July, we formed the 'Funeral Policy Council' by gathering experts from various fields to review funeral policies comprehensively," adding, "Based on the results of these discussions, policy directions related to deaths without kin, including legislation and budget allocation, are expected to be decided." The council is a body that discusses ways to improve funeral systems in response to changing times, funeral infrastructure, and awareness of funeral culture by collecting opinions from the field and experts through subcommittee meetings. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to operate the council regularly twice a month until December this year and promote institutionalization of funeral policies such as legal amendments based on the discussion results.

※ This article was produced with support from the Korea Press Foundation's government advertising fees.