Shanghai officials are promoting an alternative to burial, to reduce the use of land for graveyards. Bodies are cremated and then turned into what's being called "life crystals", using South Korean technology.
This Hong Kong TV show included a man who had his lover's ashes turned into a necklace.
The ashes are heated to 1,600 degrees, and when they cool off they look like a crystal. They can be kept in a jar at home, or turned into jewelry.
The service is now being offered at the Yishan Funeral Parlor in Minhang District, which handles about one-third of Shanghai's cremations. The technology first appeared in the United States, and was later introduced to Japan and South Korea.
"Due to the difference of trace elements, particulate matters of different bodies show different colors. The size of particulate matters is only about 20 percent of the ashes they're made of. Normally an adult's ashes can be turned into 150 particulate matters," said Zhanglifen, Yishan Funeral Parlor.
These crystals were made from the ashes of a 53-year-old man who died of lung cancer. The man's son says he wanted a reminder of his father.
"Every time when I miss my father, I hold the life crystals in the hand as if he's still with me. Besides, the price of a grave site is expensive. "
Shanghai is home to about 44 public cemeteries, but many of them suffering serious shortfall of land. Officials estimate that the remaining land can be only used for another 20 years. That's why they're offering locals more burial options.
The service costs nearly 18,000 yuan. But the director of the Shanghai Funeral and Interment Service Center says he is confident the service will help reduce the demand for land for burials.
"Now graves that are below 0.6 square meters cost around 60,000 yuan. So the service has an advantage in price. We're trying to let people accept that their bereaved parents are always with them. But when it comes to form, it shouldn't be scary," said He Zhaoming, director of Shanghai Funeral & Interment Service Center.
But He admits that changing people's mindsets will takes time.
"I would still chose a grave. After all, earth is the best shelter for the deceased."
"If it's a necklace or bracelet, I would feel a bit uncomfortable. But I think it's OK if the life crystals are kept at home."
The service will soon be extended to other funeral parlors.
