Gyeongnam Province Enhances Support for Vulnerable Seniors with Integrated Funeral Services

Gyeongnam Province is taking a significant step to enhance its social welfare system by integrating elderly care with public funeral services. Recognizing the rapidly aging population, which now constitutes 22% of the province's total residents, Gyeongnam is rolling out a comprehensive 'Elderly Care-Funeral Services Integrated Support System'. This system is designed to offer dignified end-of-life support to seniors who may lack family support or face financial hardships in arranging funerals. Social workers and support staff will conduct regular check-ins, provide health and safety management, and offer pre-funeral consultations to those identified as needing end-of-life assistance. For seniors who pass away alone, the province has established a coordinated response involving relevant departments, police, and fire services to ensure seamless administrative support from initial response to funeral arrangements. This proactive approach aims to prevent neglect of the deceased and strengthen the public nature of funeral services, ensuring that every senior's final moments are handled with respect and care. The province's commitment extends to its existing elderly care services, which already support over 43,000 vulnerable seniors with dedicated personnel and emergency safety systems.

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Elderly customized care is not just about support during their lifetime, but also about public responsibility extending to the end of life and beyond death. We will continue to meticulously support seniors' care and funeral services in an organic way so that a dignified life can continue until the very end.