QINGDAO -- China's coastal city of Qingdao has held its first memorial service for people whose relatives' ashes were scattered at sea, more than 20 years after it started "sea burial" services.

After releasing pigeons on the land, family members of the deceased were taken to the designated waters on two yachts. They scattered flower petals at the sea, laid sacrifices on the boats and bowed.

The activity, which will be organized every year, aims to make remembrance easier as the country continues to encourage sea burials, among other eco-friendly burial methods.

Qingdao resident Lan Guipu, who participated in the ceremony, said he scattered his parents' ashes at sea six years ago in accordance with their wishes.

In the past, he and his wife would mourn their parents by burning paper offerings at the funeral home. "But now, we are able to visit their resting place. This is more solemn, and greener, because we don't need to burn paper anymore," Lan said.

Since 1991, when sea burials began to be offered in Qingdao, the cremains of more than 13,000 people have been scattered at sea, according to the city's civil affairs authorities.

Arable land, forests, grassland, and other environmental resources have left less space for cemeteries, prompting the Chinese government started promoting eco-friendly burials in the 1990s.