Ahead of the Leap Month, Advance Reservation Period Extended for 'Post-Burial Cremation'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Funeral Culture Promotion Agency announced on the 21st that they will expand the pre-reservation period for cremation to allow preparations for grave opening during this year's leap month (March 22 to April 19).

Since ancient times, the leap month has been considered a month in which no misfortune occurs even when undertaking unpleasant tasks, so many people open or repair their ancestors' graves during this period. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, over the past 10 years, the average annual number of cremations for exhumed remains during leap years was 91,895, which is more than 70% higher than the average annual number of cremations for exhumed remains in normal years (52,019). Additionally, about 40% of annual cremations for exhumed remains are concentrated within the one-month leap month period.

In particular, this year’s leap month includes the seasonal days of Cheongmyeong (April 5) and Hansik (April 6), when demand for grave openings is concentrated, and combined with the demand for grave openings that could not be met due to the cremation crisis in March-April last year, cremation demand is expected to surge sharply compared to previous leap months.

Accordingly, the government decided to extend the reservation period for the e-Haneul cremation reservation service from the current 15 days in advance to one month in advance. However, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet ended and that deaths tend to increase during the transitional seasons of February and March, when general deaths can increase at any time, the number of pre-reservations for cremation of exhumed remains will be gradually expanded.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to maximize the operating hours and cremation sessions for exhumed remains at 60 public cremation facilities nationwide (excluding one crematorium at the National Sorokdo Hospital) during the leap month if the trend of general deaths until early next month is confirmed to be similar to normal years, so that citizens who wish to open graves will not experience inconvenience. Information on how to reserve cremations for exhumed remains and cremation procedures can be found on the e-Haneul cremation reservation service website.

Joo Cheol, Director of the Elderly Support Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "We ask for the active cooperation of public cremation facilities nationwide to ensure that citizens do not experience inconvenience during the leap month grave opening procedures," adding, "Opening ancestors’ graves, cremating the remains, and then conducting natural burial or mountain burial contributes to the efficient use of land and the promotion of public welfare."