The local government has raised the subsidy it offers to residents who bury their relatives at sea from 400 yuan ($64) to 2,000 yuan, local officials said at a press conference Tuesday.

The increase of the subsidy, which will be implemented retroactively from January 1, 2012, aims to help conserve land in a city where real estate is a valuable commodity.

"In a populous city such as Shanghai, land is scarce. Burial at sea is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial," said Lü Chunling, director of the Mortuary Service Division of the Shanghai Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.

The local government aims for sea burials to account for 2 percent of the total in the city by the end of 2015, Lü said.

Although sea burials currently account for 1.5 percent of the city's total, they have been gradually growing in popularity. Since the option first became available in 1991, the number of the people who opt for burial at sea has grown at an annual rate of 8 percent, according to the bureau.

The remains of 25,563 people have been spread at the sea. The bureau estimated that the burials have saved 76,689 square meters of land in Shanghai.

The subsidy is composed of two parts. Families can get 1,000 yuan directly from the local government, Lü said. The remaining 1,000 yuan must be spent on funeral and burial expenses, including transportation costs to take up to six family members out to sea for the funeral.

According to the bureau's website, the least expensive such funeral costs about 150 yuan.

To qualify for the subsidy, the deceased must hold Shanghai household registration. Family members must present the deceased's cremation certificate, their household registration books and their State identification cards when they apply.

The bureau has also launched an electronic map for funeral services on its website so citizens can find the closest funeral parlors and cemeteries to their homes. The website also lists the charges for the services that the parlors provide.