"Support to Prevent Lonely Deaths... Positive Response to Introduction of Public Funeral System in Hongseong-gun"

Stable Funeral Procedures Supported Through Agreements with Five Funeral Service Providers

Funeral proceedings conducted as public funerals to prevent lonely deaths

Hongseong County in Chungnam has introduced a public funeral system through the enactment of the "Hongseong County Ordinance on Funeral Support for Unclaimed Deceased Persons," ensuring that everyone can have a dignified final farewell regardless of their circumstances. This initiative has received positive feedback.

According to the county, the number of single-person households has been steadily increasing, and with the aging population, solitary deaths have become a social issue. In response, the county is promoting public funerals to guarantee a dignified end for all its residents.

The public funeral system, which provides support of up to 1.5 million KRW, is available for those who have no relatives, whose families have disbanded, or who are unable to afford funeral costs due to financial hardship. In the case of foreigners whose families in their home country cannot bear the funeral expenses, the process is carried out in consultation with the relevant embassy.

The public funeral service includes the handling of the deceased's body, funeral supplies, transportation, and the operation of a funeral hall. The funeral hall is managed by volunteers assigned by the Hongseong County Volunteer Center, ensuring the deceased's final journey is respected.

To ensure smooth public funerals, the county has signed agreements with five local funeral service providers, who offer stable and reliable funeral procedures.

As of the 10th of this year, Hongseong County has conducted 11 public funerals for unclaimed deceased individuals, a significant increase compared to 9 cases last year. On March 7, the county also supported a public funeral for a deceased person of Thai nationality to ensure their dignity was upheld.

Park Seongrae, head of the county's Welfare Policy Division, stated, "Through funeral support for unclaimed deceased persons, we will do our utmost to guarantee the final dignity of those marginalized in society, help them rest in peace, and ensure that their final journey is treated with the utmost respect and care."

Meanwhile, the number of single-person households in Hongseong County has been increasing every year, from 14,810 in 2020 to 16,205 in 2023.