Beijing sets up database for deceased

BEIJING - Beijing's civil affairs bureau said Wednesday it has set up a database for the deceased, to offer convenience for those who remarry after their spouses pass away.

Citizens will no longer need to submit spousal death certificates to civil affairs authorities when they register to remarry, with the database being used instead.

"It is easy to hurt the feelings of citizens when we ask them to submit death certificates," said Ge Dongsheng, an official in charge of marriage registration with Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau.

The database includes data from public security and health departments.

If citizens use fake certificates or statements during marriage registration, the system will record this, said Ge, adding that information sharing will also provide convenience for citizens making house purchases or applying for loans.