The inevitability of death is a blessing for young Chinese people. Instead of fearing it, they see it as a promising business opportunity, especially in the funeral industry.
Old-fashioned traditions that are rigid and boring are being abandoned. Fresh and creative ideas were born to honor the passing of loved ones.
Lin Han, for example. In 2023, he set up an online store selling contemporary funeral products such as shrouds and ash containers.
His dissatisfaction with outdated traditional funeral products was the main driver. He wanted to bring a more memorable and personalized grief experience to the younger generation.
“Everything I saw in the store looked outdated and boring. I really didn’t want my beloved family members to be buried using old-fashioned items,” Lin told the South China Morning Post.
Unlike Lin, Weili chose to focus on unique and interesting shroud designs. She markets her work through e-commerce platforms and has received an overwhelmingly positive response.
“Many people say, ‘nice clothes are worn on important occasions like birthdays and weddings, so why not at funerals?” said Weili.
Not only products, but grave cleaning services have also undergone a transformation. Lie Jie, a 22-year-old from Sichuan Province, offers services such as cleaning tombstones, organizing grave offerings, and even mediating the reading of messages during pilgrimages.
This phenomenon is in line with market research predictions. In 2020, Insight and Info estimates the sales value of ash containers to reach US$1.4 billion and continue to increase every year. The China Funeral Association even predicts the total expenditure on funerals and pilgrimages in China to reach US$138 billion by the end of 2023.
This shift shows the changing paradigm of China’s younger generation towards death. They no longer stick to tradition but dare to express their love and respect for those who have passed away in a more personal and meaningful way.