China Updates Funeral Service Rules

(MENAFN) The Chinese authorities have updated regulations governing funeral and burial services, aiming to standardize management across the entire process and make services more accessible, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.

The revised rules, signed into law by Premier Li Qiang through a State Council decree, are scheduled to take effect on March 30.

The document, which consists of eight chapters and 73 provisions, emphasizes the public welfare nature of funeral and burial services. It promotes principles of social benefit, simplicity, respect, and ecological protection.

Key highlights include improved service quality, reforms in funeral customs, and encouragement of land-efficient and eco-conscious burial methods.

The regulations also define the scope of essential public funeral services, noting that qualifying services will gradually be incorporated into the national basic public service framework with ongoing adjustments. A funding system has been established to align with public demand for these core services.

To prevent excessive fees, the updated rules introduce a standardized service price list, banning charges outside the approved catalog. Regulators are tasked with strengthening price oversight and detailing violations related to pricing.

Additionally, the regulations reinforce comprehensive supervision across the entire chain of services—from issuing death certificates to funerals, burials, and memorial activities—while calling for coordinated enforcement among relevant authorities.

MENAFN07012026000045017167ID1110567333