A Dignified Farewell
Commitment to Creating a Park-Like Memorial Space
Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province announced on September 18 that it has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a cremation facility, a long-awaited project for local residents. With this, the county has embarked on a major initiative to create a dignified funeral culture and enhance the convenience of its residents.
More than 200 people attended the ceremony, including County Governor Koo Inmo, county and provincial council members, heads of local organizations, residents of Daeya Village and Namha-myeon, as well as officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and South Gyeongsang Province. The attendees celebrated the groundbreaking and pledged their commitment to the successful completion of the project, reflecting the aspirations of the county’s residents. The event began with a pre-ceremony performance, followed by a progress report, introduction of guests, commemorative and congratulatory speeches, and the groundbreaking itself.
This project involves a total investment of 23.3 billion KRW and will be built on a 29,512-square-meter site with a building area of 3,054 square meters. The main facilities will include three cremation furnaces, a memorial park, a columbarium, a waiting room for bereaved families, park amenities, and a parking lot. The facility will feature eco-friendly design and park-style landscaping, creating a space for both relaxation and culture.
When the 8th popularly elected administration began in July 2022, the “Geochang County Cremation Facility Construction Project” was selected as its first pledge. However, reaching the point of launching the project was not an easy decision. Drawing on lessons learned from six years of conflict and resolution during the construction of the Geochang Correctional Facility, the county adopted a resident-participatory approach from the land selection stage.
In the first round of applications in February 2023, only one site was submitted, but it was deemed unsuitable due to low feasibility and resident opposition. Subsequently, the county made various efforts to build consensus and improve understanding, including resident information sessions and tours of advanced cremation facilities. These initiatives helped dispel vague concerns and anxieties about cremation facilities and led residents to recognize them as essential infrastructure, like water and sewage systems.
As a result, in the second round of applications in 2024, the county addressed issues raised in the first round and gathered a wide range of resident opinions, leading to nine sites applying for the project. The provision of benefits such as resident support funds, support for community projects, rights to operate ancillary facilities, and exemption from usage fees also played a significant role.
In May of last year, the current site was finalized, and in December, the facility was named “Geochang County Cheonsang Park” through a public naming contest for county residents. In July, the county enacted an ordinance to support residents living near the cremation facility, establishing the legal basis for supporting both the host village and adjacent communities.
The county expects this project to not only improve resident convenience but also boost the local economy. The construction phase will create opportunities for local builders and generate jobs, while increased demand for related services after completion is expected to revitalize the community as a whole.
By providing cremation services, the county also aims to address the decline in the resident population, while the anticipated increase in floating population and local spending is expected to create a positive economic cycle for the region.
In his commemorative address, County Governor Koo Inmo stated, “Today’s groundbreaking is not simply the start of a new facility, but a historic milestone that will allow all residents to experience a dignified final farewell. We will design the facility with a modern and trendy image, harmonizing with nature to create a beautiful structure and build the nation’s best cremation facility.”
Meanwhile, Geochang County, aiming to build a funeral facility that all residents can take pride in through eco-friendly design and pleasant landscaping, began construction after the groundbreaking ceremony. The county is pushing ahead with the goal of completing the facility by December next year and making it available for use in 2027.
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