Rethinking death, remaking funerals: A new generation changes how China says goodbye
Young people in China are increasingly pursuing careers in the funeral industry due to an aging population and shifting social attitudes. Despite the traditional stigma associated with death, the sector is seeing a rise in interest from students like Wei Binjie.
Why it matters
This trend highlights a significant cultural shift in China regarding death and professional choices, reflecting the economic realities of a rapidly aging society.
Long shadowed by taboo, funeral studies are drawing young people in China as an ageing population fuels demand - but the stable careers many are counting on are far from guaranteed.
Staff at Greatroam in Beijing's Sanlitun. Its founder trains newcomers to the trade, saying he values empathy over experience. (Photo: CNA/Hu Chushi)
Bong Xin Ying 30 Aug 2026 06:00AM (Updated: 30 Aug 2026 08:18AM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a new cards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST SHANGHAI: Death has a curious way of cropping up in the numbers around Wei Binjie.
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