An increasing number of residents in Beijing are choosing to have their ashes scattered at sea, Legal Evening News reported on Monday.

According to Beijing Funeral Service Center, more than 700 contracts had been signed for sea funerals from January to the end of March and the total contracts for such services in 2014 are expected to reach some 2,400. The ashes of three bureau-level officials will also be scattered into the sea this year for the first time.

The center started the service in 1994, when less than 100 people's ashes were scattered at sea. Last year, that number reached 1,201.

The service is provided free to Beijing residents.

The ships used for scattering people's ashes at sea are rented by the center.