Grave business: undertakers vie for title of China’s most skilled handler of the dead
The best professionals in the funeral industry must be adept at comforting family members and showing respect for the deceased
The mainland has wrapped up its first national competition for undertakers, with dozens of professional from the cremation business gathering in Beijing to test their skills, state media has reported.
While the outcome wasn’t a life or death issue, the stakes were still high – the winner gets a chance at one of the most prestigious medals for workers in the country, Xinhua said.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, which organised the competition, the most important requisites for the job were to show respect for the deceased and give comfort to relatives.
They should receive “ivory white ashes without any impurities”, a government representative was quoted as saying.
The National Cremation Skills Competition drew 54 industry professionals, who were assessed on their practical skills and grasp of theory.