Some plots are comparable to luxury villas in upscale suburbs, Zhang said. For example, in Qingpu's upmarket Lucky Life Garden Cemetery, tomb prices offering space for two urns range from 36,800 yuan (HK$41,870) to 70,000 yuan for about 1.5 square metres, including the burial space, stone and engraving.

'To put this in perspective, a luxury villa in Sheshan costs about 50,000 yuan per square metre,' Zhang said.

Tomb prices in Lucky Life Garden have doubled in the past five years, according to Zhang, who expects a continuous growth of 10 per cent in prices annually.

'Foreigners are free to buy and sell without restrictions,' she said.

Price is determined by factors including the location within the cemetery, the quality of the stonework and the intricacy of engravings.

Just out of town at Zhujiajiao's Prestige Gardens Cemetery, prices start at 25,800 yuan for a simple design.

In accordance with Chinese law, a legal will is required in order for the deceased's property rights to be passed on to whomever they choose. In the absence of a will, the property rights of the deceased will be passed on in the following order of priority: husband/wife, son/daughter, father/mother and grandfather/grandmother.

In the absence of all of the above, the deceased's property will be claimed by the government. Other family members or close friends have no rights to the property unless it is formally stated in a legally documented will. For foreign residents, an overseas will might not be valid on the mainland, Zhang said.

So the lesson is if one makes such an investment, be sure to have a proper will.