Introduction of China Contemporary Funeral

Funeral and interment, which is one of the important parts in social activities, has close relationship with life, and makes deep effect on social civilization. Funeral is a carrier of culture heritage, however, it is the seedbed of feudal superstition and outmoded customs too. It can disclose social characters and pursuit in different history times.

China is the country with an ancient civilization and long history. Different ages have different funeral customs. The long history and nonstop development formed a complete and complex funeral customs, which is mainly expressed on farewell etiquette in funeral such as wearing special costumes, calling back deceased soul and patter. And for the process, earth burial is the main type during old times.

China has a big population which takes up 22% in the world, but the arable land only takes up 7%. The per arable land is less than 1.5 units of area in China, 2/3 less than that of the world average. Meanwhile, china is a country that is lack of forest, the number of forest coverage is less than 11, much lower than the world average level. Earth protection is a long term persistent and basic national policy in China. China funeral reformation closely surrounds around the protection of earth resources and environment.

1. China Funeral Reformation
After the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, funeral reformation was launched on. In 1956 Central Work Conference, Chairmen Mao Zedong firstly proposed that dead body should be cremated, and bone ashes rather than body being kept, so that graves were not necessary to be built. At that time, 151 Chinese functionaries agreed with it, and signed on proposal. From then on, China began funeral reformation.

Chinese leaders such as Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping set up a good example for the public, under government’s propulsion and people’s cooperation, china funeral reformation and funeral industry have made achievement, such as setting up funeral regulations and constructing funeral service system. People are beginning to accept cremation, and giving away outmoded customs. Funeral industry has achieved remarkable success and outstanding fame. It’s already become a new particular service industry.

According to the situation of China, Chinese government published Temporary Regulations of Funeral Management in February 1985. It established that cremation should be carried on step by step, meantime try to reform earth burial, break through feudal superstition, and advocate a civilized funeral management in a frugality way. The cremation area and earth burial area were limited in our country. The area which has large population, less arable land and convenient transportation was set to be cremation area, however, the area which is remote was set to be reforming earth burial area. Both the areas will be existed for a long time. We paid much attention to minority’s funeral customs and religion belief, so there are kinds of traditional cremation, earth burial, sky burial and water burial in minority area.

2 Funeral facility Instruction

To meet the need of cremation, China began to build up crematorium and funeral homes which can deal with cremation in cities from 1956. Till 2005, there were over 1500 funeral homes in China. Every year there are more than 8 million people died, among which about 4 million are cremated, the cremation rate has reached to 52.7%. Cremation has been universalized in 1/3 provinces and municipalities, the rate in some places has reached to 100%. From 80s, a large number of beautiful cemeteries appeared around the country. According to statistics, the number of operating cemeteries has reached to about 2000, nonprofit cemeteries and ashes halls have reached to about 100,000. Funeral facilities research is going on and with satisfied technology. In some companies, the quality of cremation machines have exceeded international level. Many kinds of funeral products have been exported to overseas, such as hears, remains refrigeration, remains coverlet, farewell stage, air cleansing, refrigerate coffin, antisepsis humidifier and urn.

3 Funeral Management

Funeral work as one part of social administration management is directed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. There are particular institutions from central government to county government being in charge of such management. In July 1997, the State Department published and implemented Funeral Management Ordinance, it means funeral laws and regulations have formed a complete system, which stands for the new stage of funeral management in China.

Meanwhile, in some places, some councils have been set up to lead the public to a more civilized funeral. They serve for the people and manage funeral operations, it connects government with people.

4 China Funeral Association

To strengthen industrial management, China Funeral Association was established in September 1989, which carried out related work led by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The main job is to cooperate with government to do some research and propose proper advice, maintain staff’s legality rights, promote professional training and communication between China and foreign countries. Besides, China Funeral Association set up InternationalTravelBodyServiceCenter, to manage and supervise 31 undertaking units’ works in international body pass. Now, there are 30 local funeral associations in China. China Funeral Association own 449 official members and 6 personal members. She as the bridge among members, has earned fame and support.