Grave concern: Thousands of tombs in Beijing have expired leases and their descendants cannot be found
Local civil affairs bureau at a loss what to do as no policy exists to rectify the situation
As legions of visitors paid their respects to their ancestors and deceased loved ones ahead of Tomb-Sweeping Day, a local newspaper reported that many graves in Beijing’s crowded cemeteries have had not been visited in years and their leases had expired.
More than 37,000 graves, or 60 per cent, at the sprawling Babaoshan People’s Cemetery had expired leases, The Beijing News reported.
Many had not been visited by relatives for a long time, it added.
The city government offers grave leases of 20 years, after which they must be renewed every 10 years.
Beijing has been facing a peak of expired leases at its 33 cemeteries since 2013, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau.
However, cemeteries have failed to maintain contact with families holding expired graves.