Groundbreaking Held for Bali's Second Columbarium — Hou You-ih: 54,700 Niches to Be Added

New Taipei City Government held the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for the 'New Taipei City Bali Second Columbarium Construction Project' today (31st). Mayor Hou You-ih stated that to enhance funeral capacity, the city is constructing a second columbarium in Bali District, planning for 54,700 niches, aiming to create a modern space for remembrance and provide a peaceful resting place for ancestors. Hou explained that the Bali Second Columbarium will offer 54,700 niches with modern architectural design, while also improving surrounding facilities, including a newly constructed access road and parking lot, to provide citizens with a comfortable worship environment and convenient transportation. Additionally, as eco-friendly burial concepts become increasingly popular, the city has planned an eco-burial zone within the Bali Second Columbarium with 2,100 burial plots, implementing green funeral concepts and balancing environmental sustainability. Hou pointed out that New Taipei City currently has 19 public columbariums, requiring approximately 13,000 niches annually to meet demand. Therefore, the city government has actively expanded funeral facilities in recent years. Completed columbariums include those in Shuangxi, Sanxia, Tamsui, and Shulin Districts, with construction ongoing in Yingge District. The city hopes the second columbarium in Bali District will be completed on schedule and to high quality standards by 2029 (Year 118), fully meeting memorial needs. The Public Works Bureau added that the total budget for the Bali Second Columbarium project is approximately NT$829 million. The facility will consist of one underground level and four above-ground levels, along with an eco-burial zone. The design integrates the hilly terrain and Tamsui River landscape, creating a modern memorial park nestled by mountains and water. Through a central skylight, semi-outdoor worship spaces, and landscaped terraces, natural lighting and ventilation are introduced to create a solemn and peaceful environment for remembrance, balancing funeral needs, environmental sustainability, and humanistic care.