On February 8, Barbie Hsu’s younger sister, Dee Hsu, announced that the family had decided to bury her ashes through eco-friendly tree burial, without setting up a gravestone. According to Dee, this was Barbie’s wish. The family also hoped she could rest in peace and become one with nature.

In tree burial, the ashes are placed in a biodegradable plastic or paper bag and buried under a tree in a registered cemetery. There is no gravestone, and the deceased’s name is not recorded at the site.

The Truth Behind Tree Burial

However, according to ETtoday, tree burial is not as peaceful as many believe. Experts argue that the claim that it allows the deceased to return to nature is simply a psychological comfort for grieving families. Cremated remains contain non-biodegradable substances that can form clumps, preventing trees from growing properly.

As a result, after one or several years, cemetery staff often dig up the trees to remove the solidified ashes, cremate them again, and then scatter them back into the soil.

This means Barbie Hsu’s ashes will likely be exhumed and re-cremated after a few years, raising concerns about whether she will ever truly rest in peace.

Concerns Over No Gravestone

Additionally, since tree burial does not involve gravestones, there is a high chance that Barbie’s family may not know her exact burial location in the future. Trees can be relocated, the land can be redeveloped, and the ashes might be re-cremated and scattered elsewhere.

Public Backlash and Calls for a Proper Burial

Once the media exposed these facts, the public demanded that Barbie Hsu be buried in a proper and dignified manner. Fans believe her sudden passing was already a tragedy, and they do not want her ashes to be disturbed and re-cremated multiple times.

Many netizens called the tree burial decision cruel and disrespectful to such a talented artist. So far, Barbie Hsu’s family has not responded to the public’s concerns.

Family Faces Pressure to Change Burial Plans

Barbie Hsu’s body was cremated in Japan on February 3. On February 5, her ashes were brought back to Taiwan by her husband, Koo Jun Yup, and her family on a private jet.

Initially, Dee Hsu wanted to keep her sister’s ashes at home so she wouldn’t feel lonely and so that Dee could talk to her whenever she had time. However, this decision faced opposition from neighbors in their luxury apartment complex in Taipei, forcing the family to reconsider their plans.