Gwangju City Urgently Expands Operation of Cremation Facilities at Yeongnak Park

Reservation Surge Due to Influenza and Pneumonia Outbreaks:
Funeral Periods Extended from 3 to 4 Days
Flexible Measures in Three Stages Including Operating Hours and Frequency

Gwangju City will expand the operation of cremation facilities at Yeongnak Park. This is a proactive measure in response to the recent surge in demand for cremation services at Yeongnak Park, following an increase in deaths among the elderly due to the spread of respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumonia.

Starting from the 25th, Gwangju City will expand the operation of Yeongnak Park’s cremation facilities until the influenza situation subsides, actively responding to the increased demand for cremations.

Yeongnak Park currently has 11 cremation furnaces. Typically, 10 are in operation, with one kept for emergencies. Each furnace is used an average of five times per day, resulting in a total of 49 cremations daily (11 for exhumed remains due to grave relocation and 38 for general deceased bodies).

However, as reservations for cremations at Yeongnak Park increase due to the influenza outbreak, the city plans to continuously monitor reservation status and operate the facilities flexibly. If funeral services, which usually last three days, are extended to four days due to overcrowding at the cremation facilities, the city will respond according to a three-step plan.

In the first stage, furnaces usually reserved for exhumed remains will be converted for general body cremations. By adding two exhumed remains furnaces to general use, the number of general cremations can be increased to 40 per day.

The second stage will be implemented if four-day funerals still occur despite the first stage measures. This involves adjusting operating hours: the five furnaces for exhumed remains, which previously started at 7:50 a.m., will begin operation at 7:00 a.m. for general cremations. This will increase the number of general cremations to 45 per day.

If issues persist even after the second stage, a third stage will be implemented, increasing the number of cremations by extending operating hours. The final operation time in the afternoon will be extended, and the five furnaces converted for general use will be operated during this period. In this case, the number of general cremations can be increased to a maximum of 50 per day.

Kim Younghwa, Director of the Aging Society Policy Division, said, “We will do our best to proactively respond to the increasing demand for cremations and ensure there are no inconveniences for citizens.”