Faced with a shortage of usable land for its 1.3 billion people, China has begun encouraging people to have their loved ones buried at sea. Major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are even offering free sea burials. Even so, sea burials still account for only 2% of all funeral services in China. But municipal government officials believe burials at sea will continue to grow in popularity. The Beijing city government is so confident in the future popularity of sea burials it is considering building a ship large enough to carry 500 people, on which the services can be conducted.
