China is facing a significant scandal in its funeral services industry, as state media reported on Wednesday. Widespread corruption involving illegal fees and improper cemetery operations has been uncovered, with long-serving managers and officials at the center of the controversy.Illegal Activities and Scandals SurfaceRecently, a Chinese company was embroiled in a major scandal involving the illegal harvesting, theft, and resale of thousands of corpses, some of which were taken from funeral homes. This shocking revelation came to light after a report by the state-backed media outlet, The Paper, went viral on social media.Disciplinary authorities across multiple provinces, including Anhui, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Sichuan, and Yunnan, have initiated investigations, uncovering numerous violations by employees of funeral parlours and related organisations. According to the state-run China Daily, dozens of cases have emerged since the beginning of the year, with many of the individuals targeted possessing extensive experience in the industry.Xi Jinpings Anti-Corruption Campaign Under ScrutinySince taking office in 2012, President Xi Jinping has launched an aggressive anti-corruption campaign targeting various industries. Despite these efforts, the recent revelations suggest that the campaign may be struggling to achieve its goals, particularly in the funeral services sector.In provinces like Anhui, Liaoning, and Jilin, funeral parlours have been accused of charging illegal fees, engaging in unauthorised construction, and operating cemeteries improperly. The Global Times, a publication closely aligned with the Communist Party, highlighted these issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Xi Jinpings anti-corruption initiatives.High-Profile Detentions and Ongoing InvestigationsIn Anhui province, Communist Party investigators have detained Zhang Duo, an employee of the Panji district funeral home in Huainan city, for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, a term often used to describe graft cases. Meanwhile, in Sichuan province, disciplinary officials in Dazhou city have launched proceedings against 89 individuals and detained six.One individual under investigation is a manager surnamed Yang, who has over 30 years of experience in the funeral industry in Quxian county, Sichuan. Authorities in Jilin province have also intensified efforts to combat misconduct and corruption in the sector, responding to public complaints.The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Chinas top anti-graft watchdog, has reaffirmed its commitment to President Xis orders, emphasising the need to maintain a strong stance against corruption and bribery in the funeral services industry.
