The government will allow the burial of cremated remains outside of traditional gravesites.

The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said the new rule would take effect Monday as part of efforts to revise burial laws. The move comes as growing numbers of people choose to have their cremated remains laid to rest under trees.

Under the new system, the remains in a grave can be buried in natural burial grounds, including forests and grassland, after getting government approval.

Signs set up in such natural burial places should measure no more than one-and-a-half square meters.

The ministry said it decided to implement the system amid the urgent need to introduce natural burial grounds with tombs becoming increasingly large in size.