The article presents a commentary on the changing customs and beliefs surrounding burial practices in South Korea, reflecting on the traditional view that the location of a tomb significantly impacts the fortune of descendants. This belief was deeply rooted in Confucian values, which regarded the destruction of a parent's body as a severe transgression. In the past, family members would conduct funerals and burials, believing that resting in a 'good place' would bless future generations with good fortune—a belief that stemmed from an agrarian society where ties to the land were vital.

However, as family structures transition from extended families to nuclear families, this deep-seated tradition has been undermined. The article notes that as family size decreases, the involvement in and significance of funeral arrangements have narrowed to immediate family, often delegating responsibilities to funeral service companies rather than conducting these ceremonies in familial homes. This shift has diminished practices related to ancestral worship and maintenance of family graves, leading to a decline in cemetery visits and the rising prevalence of abandoned graves due to urbanization and industrial development that has distanced many from their ancestral burial sites.

Furthermore, the article highlights the increasing problem of insufficient burial space since the 1970s, correlating with a rapid rise in the death rate. The disparity between living and burial space has emphasized this issue—residential space per capita may have increased, yet the average size allotted for graves remains substantially larger. This situation creates a stark contrast where individuals grapple with housing shortages in life, only to face a looming shortage of burial space in death. As this trend continues, the implications for cultural values surrounding death and family traditions may become irreparably altered.