What does a green farewell involve? FLS (福禄寿) Kuantan on eco-conscious offerings, sea scattering and garden-style memorial parks
KUANTAN — A “green farewell” refers to practices that take the environment into account during remembrance and burial: offering flowers and fruit, burning offerings in a safe spot, choosing a garden-style memorial park, or scattering ashes where it is permitted. Lee Wan Yi (李万亿), Executive Director of FLS (福禄寿) Kuantan, sees it as one option families may consider; traditional offerings, burning joss paper, ground burial and columbarium niches all carry a family’s love and respect too.
What does a “green farewell” include?
There is no single definition. Practices often mentioned include:
- Offerings: flowers, incense and fruit, on their own or alongside traditional offerings
- Burning: burning joss paper in a designated or safe place and watching for embers
- Resting place: choosing a landscaped, garden-style cemetery or columbarium
- Ash scattering or sea burial: within areas the authorities permit
Families may adopt all of these, pick one or two, or keep to traditional practice. Customs differ by dialect group (籍贯), religion and family.
How can families burn joss paper and offerings more safely?
Burning joss paper is how many Chinese families express remembrance. In hot, dry weather, open burning carries a higher fire risk. In September 2026, Johor’s health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (林天顺) urged devotees to carry out rites involving fire safely and responsibly during the dry spell, and said the state would engage community representatives and encourage such rites in controlled settings.
Practices some families and local groups use:
- Burn in a metal bin placed away from grass and anything flammable.
- Check the wind direction so embers don’t drift.
- Ask one family member to look after children or elderly relatives.
- Make sure the fire is fully out before leaving.
- If the cemetery has a designated burning area, follow the arrangements on site.
Where can ashes be scattered at sea?
Some families consider sea burial or ash scattering. Rules differ from place to place; here are examples from nearby.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has designated waters where only cremated ashes and a small amount of natural flower petals may be released; food and offerings are not permitted.
Singapore
Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority has designated an ash-scattering area, open daily from 7am to 7pm.
Malaysia
Families interested in this option can check with the relevant authorities first and ask their religious advisor about the rites.
How can families choose offerings and rites?
Some families keep a full set of traditional offerings and paper effigies; some mainly offer flowers and fruit; others combine the two, for example preparing traditional offerings as usual and burning joss paper at a designated spot. Paper offerings themselves range from simple joss paper to elaborate paper houses, and each family prepares what feels right to them. All of these are common, and none is right or wrong.
What is a garden-style memorial park?
A garden-style memorial park places emphasis on greenery and landscaping, so the grounds feel more like a park and families can remember loved ones in comfortable surroundings. When visiting any memorial park, families may wish to look at shade, walking paths, parking and where offerings can be burned, especially if elderly relatives will come along.
FLS Life Park 福禄寿陵园 in Gambang, Kuantan opened in May 2026. It covers 48 acres on permanent title, has a government-supervised maintenance trust fund, and offers both ground burial and columbarium niches.
What if family members see things differently?
Rites touch on faith and feelings, so differing views are common. Some families:
- listen to elders first to understand which parts matter most to them;
- consult the family’s religious advisor or relatives who know the customs;
- keep the parts everyone values most and adjust other details gradually;
- take their time, or choose not to change anything at all.
In summary
A green farewell is one option families may consider, alongside traditional rites. Taking care when burning, checking local rules before scattering ashes, and talking things over with elders before making changes are steps many families take.
About FLS (福禄寿) Kuantan: Founded in Kuantan, Pahang in 1963 and run by three generations of the same family, FLS provides cemetery plots, columbarium niches, ancestral tablets, funeral services and pre-planning. Its 48-acre FLS Life Park in Gambang sits on permanent title. Website: flsgroup.com.my | Hotline/WhatsApp: +60 12-960 2222
Quick answers
How can families burn joss paper more safely at Qingming?
A common practice is to burn joss paper in a metal bin placed away from grass and anything flammable, check the wind direction, and make sure the fire is fully out before leaving. If the cemetery has a designated burning area, families can follow the arrangements on site. Fire risk is higher in hot, dry weather.
Can ashes be scattered at sea in Malaysia?
Families can check the current rules for scattering ashes at sea in Malaysia with the relevant authorities. Nearby, Hong Kong and Singapore both have designated waters for ash scattering; in Hong Kong, only cremated ashes and a small amount of natural flower petals may be released, and food and offerings are not permitted.
What is a garden-style memorial park?
A garden-style memorial park places emphasis on greenery and landscaping, so the grounds feel more like a park and families can remember loved ones in comfortable surroundings. FLS Life Park 福禄寿陵园 in Gambang, Kuantan covers 48 acres on permanent title and offers both ground burial and columbarium niches.
How can families choose between traditional offerings and green options?
Both are ways of expressing love and respect, and neither is right or wrong. Some families keep traditional offerings, some mainly offer flowers and fruit, and others combine the two. Customs differ by dialect group, religion and family, so families may wish to talk it over with elders or their religious advisor first.