China revises regulations to enable affordable funeral service

BEIJING -- The Chinese government has revised a set of regulations on funeral and interment services, with the aim of regulating service management across the entire chain and helping the public access affordable and eco-friendly services.

The revised regulations, which Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree to promulgate, will take effect on March 30.

The document, containing eight chapters and 73 articles, underscores the public welfare nature of funeral and interment services and upholds principles of public benefit, frugality, civility and ecological conservation.

It highlights improved services, reform in funeral practices, and promotion of land-saving and eco-friendly burials.

The document clarifies the scope of basic public funeral services, stipulating that eligible services will be gradually included in the national basic public service system with dynamic adjustments. It also establishes a funding mechanism aligned with public demand for basic funeral services.

To curb excessive charges, the revised regulations introduce a service price list system, prohibiting fees outside the approved list, and require regulators to strengthen price monitoring and supervision while detailing price-related violations.

It further enhances full-chain oversight across services from issuing death certificates, funerals, burial and memorial activities, and calls for coordinated law enforcement.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in a press release that the revisions are designed to tackle new challenges in the sector.

The statement noted that the revised regulations increase government investment, expand essential facility supply, reduce the financial burden on families, improve convenience-oriented services, and promote civilized, low-carbon and environmentally friendly practices in funeral and memorial activities.