Service standards issued on cemetery industry

The Ministry of Civil Affairs issued the country's first service standards on the cemetery industry on Tuesday, requiring cemeteries to provide clear and transparent information to consumers.

The five standards, ranging from the service reception, building of the tomb body, burial service, tomb sweeping and maintenance, were made to better regulate the services at commercial cemeteries, the MOCA said in a statement on its official website.

The service reception regulation said cemeteries must provide the location and prices of the tombs to the relatives of the deceased and sign contracts with them over tomb maintenance and the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

The regulation on burial services said cemeteries must pay due respect to the deceased and respect the customs of their religion and nationality.

The regulation for tomb sweeping and maintenance said cemeteries, including public ones, must keep the tombs well maintained.