Over recent decades, the popularity of tree burial has grown considerably as an alternative to the traditional funeral practice in South Korea with the aim of addressing land shortage and environmental issues caused by cemetery and charnel houses. However, despite increasing preference, actual proportion of tree burial utilization is only 14%, which suggest that tree burial sites do not meet the expectation of the public. Main reasons for such low rate of use includes sparse distribution of national and public tree burial, and unreliable and poor operation of private tree burial sites. To solve these problems, it is deemed necessary to expand national and public tree burial sites by eliminating “not in my backyard” concept, with further consideration of the public awareness and satisfaction factors.
In this study, a survey on public perception and satisfaction for the different types of tree burial sites was conducted to determine the awareness of the public regarding this funeral custom. Using the perceived satisfaction factors, the study likewise proposed future distribution method for tree burial sites. A questionnaire was used as a survey tool which includes single choice questions that requires specific information such as the manager of tree burial, and 7-point Likert scale with descriptive statistics for questions that involves frequency analysis, preference, or strength intention. In order to see whether there is difference in response according to the type of tree burial, χ²-test was performed for single choice questions, while F-test was used for Likert scale questions.
The public perception survey was conducted with 848 valid respondents among visitors to funeral facilities. The survey questionnaire, which was based on previous researches, consists of 15 questions in four categories: perception toward funeral method, awareness on and preference for tree burial, management of tree burial sites, and general information about respondents. The result showed that preference for cremation, intention for tree burial, awareness on and preference for tree burial, and intention for future participation is gradually increasing. It was also found out that tree burial operated by a public institution, located in natural forest, priced at two million KRW or less, and used for 30 to 45 years was optimal. Also, as an effective promotion method, respondents proposed an internet promotion for people in their 20s who are relatively less aware of tree burial and people living in non-metropolitan area.
Furthermore, in determination of the satisfaction according to the types of tree burial sites, 414 valid respondents who visited seven tree burial sites were involved in the survey. In this study, the tree burial sites were identified as forest type, facility forest type which means it is created in a forest near existing facilities including cemetery, existing site type which means it is created based on artificial planting in existing facility sites such as cemetery, and new creation type which means trees are planted in a new site. A total of 28 questions were categorized into general information on tree burial sites and satisfaction with the tree burial site. The result showed that users discovered the tree burial site through acquaintances and family members, and chose tree burial largely because of environmental benefit and recommendation of family and the deceased. As for the factors influencing the utilization of tree burial sites, it was found out that there was a low satisfaction with the price, credibility, and convenience facility. The factors that acquired low satisfactory ratings consequently recommends the need for plans to expand convenience facilities, additional national and public tree burial sites, and reasonable pricing of private tree burial sites. In terms of existing tree burial sites, the survey result suggested that users were satisfied with Haneul Forest Memorial Cemetery > Seoul Municipal Cemetery > Incheon Family Park > private tree burial sites, in decreasing order. The respondents particularly preferred inexpensive national and public tree burial sites located in natural forests. Although less preferred than the forest type, the facility forest type and existing site type also showed high satisfaction, and were proposed as an alternative location for distributing national and public tree burial sites in the future.
While previous research focused on the general perception on tree burial, this study was different because it determined the change of the public perception and satisfaction with tree burial sites according to the type, suggesting the future distribution method. Specifically, the results of the study can be used as benchmark information in planning for tree burial sites in the future.