China may have found another solution to its shortage of land space for graves other than encouraging citizens to opt for sea burials.

Shanxi province has another alternative: tree funerals.

In addition to solving the land space problem, it is also frugal and eco-friendly, according to its proponents.

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The Xianjuyuan Cemetery at Shanxi's capital, Taiyuan, conceptualized the eco-friendly funeral alternative, where ashes of the departed are placed in a biodegradable urn and buried under a tree.

The urn and its content eventually decompose into the soil in three to six months.

"This is somewhat different from the traditional way of holding funerals in China, where ashes are usually preserved permanently," Wang Haiyan, marketing manager of the cemetery, said.

According to Wang, tree funerals would normally cost 1,000 yuan (US$160), while more conventional funerals could cost anywhere from 20,000 to 80,000 yuan.

"The cost is a burden for some families, so tree funerals are a more economical option for them. It's also much better for the environment," Wang said.

"A conventional funeral is too expensive for us," said one resident who just buried her younger brother's ashes under a tree.  

"If my father were still alive, he would be 97, which is coincidentally the serial number given to this cypress. In some way, the tree is like his incarnation," said another client who is sold to the idea of tree funerals.

The cemetery is offering tree funerals for free in the forthcoming Ghost Festival which falls on August 10 this year.

Meanwhile, as the nation pushes for more environment-friendly and space-efficient methods of burying the dead, some tech savvy mourners have opted to go online.

At Waheaven.com,  geeks are building elaborate shrines with fancy images of wreaths, floral bouquets, flickering candles and pots of burning incense.

One online user created a Beijing's Gate of Heavenly Peace with the portrait of Mao hanging along with the images of his departed  loved one, along with a roasted pig and Terra Cotta warriors.

The site was flooded with virtual tributes during the celebration of Qingming over the weekend, and currently has more than 3.4 million users.

Taobao.com was also awash with vendors offering to sweep tombs for those who do not have time to visit their departed, for a modest fee of about 100 RMB or up. The bargain package included flowers, candles, and other offerings.       

In contrast, in the outskirts of Beijing, a family of  three generations gathered for the traditional tomb sweeping, although each generation had differing views about the tomb sweeping tradition.

Mr. Wang, a media worker in his 40s, said he sympathizes with people who could not sweep tombs for one reason or another. When he passes away, he said he wouldn't mind if his descendants are not able to regularly pay their respects in person.

But Mr. Wang's father believes that "if you don't do it yourself in person, there is no spirit."

Mr. Wang's young son, on the other hand, said he plans to keep sweeping tombs all his life.