The Unique Profession of Chinese Youth During Qingming Festival

The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is an important traditional festival in China that usually falls on April 4th or 5th. One of the significant customs during this day is to honor ancestors by tidying up their graves and showing respect to the deceased. However, for various reasons, some people are unable to personally visit and clean the tombs of their loved ones. In such cases, individuals like 22-year-old Li Jie from Sichuan Province in Southwest China step in to offer their assistance. Based on the client’s request, Li will pay respects, play the deceased’s favorite music, or read letters at the gravesite.

There was a male customer living abroad who asked Li to clean his parents’ tomb. Li bought the kalanchoe flower, his mother’s favorite, and the brand of liquor his father loved, which he then placed at the grave. The customer messaged Li, expressing his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for allowing him to express his longing for his loved ones, even though he could only pay respects via a mobile phone screen.

This profession, along with other death-related occupations, has not been widely accepted in Chinese society, especially among the older generation. Parents often do not view these jobs as noble and tend to associate them with bad luck. However, in recent years, an increasing number of Chinese youth have been entering the funeral industry. As this year’s Qingming Festival approaches, the topic of “why more young people are joining the funeral industry” has sparked discussions on social media once again.

Some opinions suggest that the work environment and relationships in this industry are less complicated and demanding compared to other professions. Additionally, the funeral industry has been around for a long time and is expected to continue existing in the near future. It is also a high-demand industry due to the lack of formally trained professionals.

Diverse Needs

Despite fears surrounding death and misconceptions, many young Chinese individuals are getting involved in professions related to funeral services and memorial clothing modeling. They are bringing innovation to the industry with new perspectives and unique approaches, providing comfort to their grieving customers.

Some have even opened online stores selling funeral-related items such as urns, electronic incense, and candles. Unlike traditional products on the market, their funeral goods are more appealing to the younger generation, allowing them to express their emotions towards the deceased more effectively.

Others have chosen to live stream fashion shows featuring mourning clothes. Wei Li, one such fashion seller, personally selects mourning clothes from various styles, including Hanfu (traditional Han Chinese clothing), Tangzhuang (traditional silk jacket), and Qipao (cheongsam).

“People prepare beautiful outfits for important occasions like birthdays and weddings. Similarly, the end of life also deserves appropriate attire. It is a form of respect for life,” Wei explains. She believes that allowing people to bid farewell to the world with more clothing options carries significant meaning.

These young individuals are gradually bringing about changes to the ancient and traditional funeral industry. Some companies are even using digital technology to introduce concepts like online memorial services and commemoration platforms, providing more possibilities for the industry.

Baiduren, a funeral service company in Shanghai, has nearly 90 employees ranging from 23 to 45 years old, with 90% of them holding bachelor’s degrees. The company has developed a funeral service app to publish online obituaries and schedule memorial events or reminders.

“We strive to innovate within the traditional industry, and we have also launched a letter-writing app called ‘Memories in Images.’ We hope to use this platform as a permanent message archive to preserve the emotions and memories people have for their lost loved ones,” says Jiaying, the company’s press officer, in an interview with Global Times.

Redefining Remembrance

When asked about the reasons employees enter the funeral industry, Jiaying revealed that more than half of them have experienced heart-wrenching farewells with deceased loved ones. Jiaying states, “Regardless of whether the departed passed away due to old age or a sudden incident when they were young, we aim to help customers provide their loved ones with a better ending, a more perfect farewell.”

In addition to assisting families in setting up funeral homes at home, confirming guest lists, and organizing memorial events, the company also holds “casket placement” ceremonies. During these ceremonies, family members are guided to place their loved one’s favorite flowers or other items of sentimental value into the casket, depending on local customs.

“For example, in Shanghai, according to local customs, family members fold paper money as a symbol of good luck for the departed’s journey to the other world. We guide family members in folding the paper money and placing it in the casket. By participating in this act, they are accompanying the departed on their final journey, ensuring that they do not feel lonely. Family members also experience a sense of comfort knowing they have done something tangible for their loved ones for the last time,” explains Jiaying.

The company has also established themed cafes in Shanghai where people can gather to discuss souls, philosophies, beliefs, and death, hoping that this experience will make people cherish life more.

“We are not afraid of being imitated or competing with others. We genuinely want to see and hope that the younger generation can bring more positive changes to this long-standing industry,” concludes Jiaying.

(Image source: here)