Location: South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong

Obon is one of the most important traditions to the Japanese

The perpetual search for balance between technology and tradition has more often than not been the heart of Asian issues. The region is, after all, blessed with a rich tapestry of histories accompanied by a dedicated fascination for all things new and ingenious. Take, for instance, Korea’s endorsement of the freeze-dry burial method, alongside Japan’s adherence and fervent celebration of Obon, topped off by Hong Kong’s virtual cemetery. Curious as they may be, they are as valid as recent developments may come and as lovely as traditions may live on.

With the intention of not only saving space but ultimately being the greenest of all burial alternatives, the freeze-dry technique stood out at the recent Asian funeral expo. Formally called Promession, the technique uses liquid nitrogen to freeze a corpse, which is then shaken until it disintegrates into a pile of dust. The particles are then filtered of heavy metals and buried in a bio-degradable container, breaking down in 6-18mos to nourish the growth of a plant or tree in a memorial park. Pioneered by Swedish Biologist Susanne Wiigh-Masak, the technique, now supported by the Korean government and the Korean Christian Church, is due to launch in South Korea next year after many years of overcoming major ethical and legal detractors.

Then there is Obon; celebrated around the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar and one of the most important traditions to the Japanese. Families gather to pray for their dead in the Buddhist belief that their souls come back to their homes during this period to be reunited with their loved ones. Houses are cleaned and assorted foods are offered on their family altars decorated with incense, flowers and paper lanterns. The lanterns are then lit as families visit their graves and call to their ancestors to come back home. Fires are lit by the entrance to the houses to guide the spirits. Lanterns painted with the family crest are then carried by the families back to the graves to guide their spirits on the next day. Culminating the celebration is the lighting of paper lanterns set to float down the river leading to the ocean as families send off their ancestors’ spirits. A most fascinating sight indeed.

And finally, there’s Hong Kong’s virtual cemetery that’s sparked quite a curious buzz. The free service, not meant to replace traditional practices of paying tribute to their deceased, was created to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s modern society for a sustainable forms of mourning and burial, is a site enabling users to ‘visit’ their dead by creating an online memorial page with pictures and messages for them. Through the page, virtual flowers and offerings such as virtual chickens, fruits, roast suckling pig and paper money can be ‘sent.’ The website, www.memorial.gov.hk , however, only allows memorials for Hong Kong residents recorded to have been cremated at public crematoriums or buried at public cemeteries