NILAI: The country’s first eco burial ceremony was held at Xiao En Memorial Park in Nilai on Wednesday, marking the start of a new chapter for the bereavement industry in Malaysia.

Led by a funeral director, family members of deceased Soon Ngu Gin observed a one-minute silence before pouring the ashes into the burial pit, then covering it with flower petals and soil, thus completing a 10-minute process without a religious rite, a tombstone or a name.

Soon, 85, a Buddhist, passed away on Sept. 15. She was cremated following a Buddhist ceremony. Her ashes were kept at Xiao En Memorial Park until this Wednesday.

Soon had wished to have her ashes spread into the sea, but her children did not feel comfortable with the idea.

They decided to go for the eco burial in Xiao En after learning about it.

“We like the environment here, and we can come by whenever we miss our mother. The ashes of my father and grandfather are also kept here,” said Soon’s daughter Lai Kwai Mei.

Also present at the first eco burial ceremony were Lobak state assemblymen Chew Seh Yong and the managing director of Xiao En Memorial Park Datuk Frank Choo Chuo Siong.

The ceremony costs RM2,800, excluding cremation charges.

Xiao En is working with state assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan to extend the eco burial service free of charge to B40 non-Muslims in the state.

Chew said Xiao En is charging B40 group RM300 for eco burial service, but he is prepared to absorb the RM300 fee so that poor families meeting the criteria can get free burial service.

Choo said the B40 individuals with referral letters from Negeri Sembilan state assemblymen will be offered the eco burial package.