A country with a population of more than 1.5 billion people will sooner or later face the problem of burials because cemeteries are running out and people are still dying. However, the Chinese have a solution to this problem. We will tell you about 6 sad but real facts about the local funerals, which you did not expect to hear.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – April 18, 2021 – Lifestyle
Dear pleasure
Local cemeteries are so full of graves that the owners of the funeral home skillfully use them, selling places for huge sums. For example, a simple funeral here can cost about 10 thousand dollars. In addition, the average salary in the country is only $ 500.
Rent
The surprises do not end there. By paying 10 thousand dollars, you will receive a grave not forever, but only for 20 years. If the cemetery guards see that no one has taken care of the site for a long time, they pass it on to other people.
And since in China there has long been a limit on the number of children in a family (“one family – one child”), there is simply no one to take care of the graves. So, they move on to the next owners. A little sad, but there is no other way out, say local authorities.
Cremation
If you think that the place for the ballot box here is much cheaper, you are wrong. However, since 1994, the country’s authorities have encouraged this method of burial. In addition, the main attention is paid to cremation with a subsequent scattering of ashes. Of course, to save space in the cemetery.
Suicide
Some time ago, in one of China’s provinces, the shortage of graves became so acute that the authorities simply forbade locals to bury their dead relatives: “The only cremation!”. They commit suicide in order to have time to bury according to the old tradition.
The fact is that according to Confucianism, the deceased must have a burial place where his relatives can come. Only there will they be able to show respect for their ancestors.
In the bushes
For all the above reasons, many Chinese bury their loved ones in bushes, fields, or ravines along roads. When the authorities notice such graves, they simply destroy them, leveling them to the ground.
Coffin
And “for dessert” is one of the strangest facts about the traditions of this amazing country. In many provinces of China, the coffin is considered the best gift for family and friends. In addition, it is given not only to adults but also to young people.
It is believed that the coffin in the house brings success and longevity. In addition, the coffins are quite expensive (from $ 500), so this gift helps the recipient to save a decent amount. In ancient China, the coffin was considered the best birthday present for parents. Giving a good coffin for a relative’s birthday is considered a sign of deep filial respect.
However, a major scandal erupted in Jiangxi Province last year. In order to preserve land resources, local authorities prohibit residents from burying their relatives on the ground. And everyone who has already bought or received the coffins as a gift is invited to hand them over for destruction for $ 300 as compensation. Those who refuse to hand over the coffins are forcibly taken away. Many elderly people lay in coffins in protest and cried, refusing to hand them over to local authorities.
Read also: The Great Wall of China
Source: Ukrgate
