The Tomb Sweeping Day in Taiwan is expected to be observed less and less literally in the years to come, as 90% of the deceased are cremated rather than conventionally buried these days. And other interment options, such as burials at sea or tree burials, are now encouraged by the authorities for environmental reasons.

More and more people are choosing columbariums as their final resting place, and the Taipei City Government's first public "villa" columbarium will open early next year.

According to Ministry of the Interior statistics, more than 50% of people chose to be interred in cemeteries in 1993. By 2010, however, more than 90% opted for cremation.

Like many other advanced nations, natural forms of burial, including burying ashes under trees or scattering ashes at sea, are becoming increasingly popular in Taiwan.

There are currently 11 tree burial zones in Taiwan, and local governments have also begun promoting burials at seas and online tomb-sweeping.

In coming years, later generations will honor their ancestors in a variety of different ways.