Tainan Funeral Complex Development Faces Delays Amid Land Speculation Rumors

Tainan City is grappling with a significant shortage of funeral facilities, as the development of the planned Nanshan Cemetery funeral complex remains stalled, sparking concerns among city officials and the public.

During a city council meeting, Democratic Progressive Party councilor Chou Li-chin highlighted the insufficient capacity of the current Nanshan Funeral Home and questioned the timeline for the Nanshan Cemetery funeral complex. She noted the growing demand due to an aging population and addressed rumors suggesting private interests aim to build housing or speculate on the land.

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The city government's planned Nanshan funeral complex will include funeral parlors, columbariums, and temporary storage facilities. These public facilities will be developed and established by the city government, with all information made public to resolve public doubts.

Mayor Huang Wei-che assured the council that the Nanshan funeral complex will include essential facilities such as a funeral parlor, columbarium, and temporary storage areas, all to be developed and operated by the city government. He stressed that all information regarding the project will be made public to alleviate public concerns and defended councilors who have faced verbal attacks and curses over the development.

Deputy Mayor Chiang Lin-huang detailed the plans, which include a multi-functional funeral complex in areas A and B of the Nanshan Cemetery after the relocation of existing graves. This complex is slated to feature a funeral parlor, columbarium, crematorium, ecological burial sites, a historical park, and a "ku chien lu" (a traditional furnace for burning offerings). Areas C are planned for park development, roads, and parking. The city is also expanding existing facilities, including increasing the capacity of the Jingxing Hall by dividing it into smaller rooms to accommodate more users.

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Currently, the capacity of the first and second crematoriums is sufficient. Secondly, the Jingxing Hall (main hall) will be further divided into smaller halls to provide more usage space. Regarding the development of Area B of Nanshan Cemetery, planning should be expedited, and after the cultural heritage investigation is completed, the developable parts should be proceeded with as soon as possible.