China has tightened rules on medical institutions’ funeral services to protect families and curb abuse in the funeral sector.
On Jan. 12th, Chinese authorities introduced new rules to regulate funeral-related services in medical institutions. The move aims to curb commercial abuse, protect families’ privacy, and clarify responsibilities at the time of death.
The rules strictly forbid hospitals from running funeral services or outsourcing morgue operations. They also target illegal practices, including selling death certificates and leaking personal information of the deceased and their families.
Clear Rules for Medical Institutions and Death Certification
Under the new rules, responsibilities for issuing death certificates are clearly defined. Medical institutions issue certificates for deaths that occur during treatment or transport. Local clinics or community centres handle deaths that occur at home or in public places. In cases of unnatural death, police authorities take charge.
Medical institutions may provide temporary body storage, but only as a short-term measure. Bodies should not remain in storage for more than 24 hours unless special circumstances apply. Families must be informed promptly and asked to contact funeral services for transfer.
The regulations also draw firm red lines. Medical institutions cannot display or sell funeral products. They cannot outsource funeral services or accept bodies from outside institutions. Emergency or medical transport vehicles cannot be used to move the deceased. In addition, medical institutions’ staff are banned from steering families toward specific funeral providers.
Funeral Services as Public Welfare, Not Profit
At the policy level, the State Council has approved a revised Funeral Management Regulation, which will take effect on March 30, 2026. The revision defines funeral services as a public welfare sector rather than a commercial one. It promotes simple, dignified, and eco-friendly practices.
The regulation gradually brings eligible funeral services into the national basic public service system. At the same time, authorities will tighten price controls. Service items must follow official lists, and extra charges are prohibited. Regulators will increase monitoring and penalties for violations across the sector.
Importantly, the regulation encourages green and space-saving burial methods. This reflects broader efforts to balance tradition with environmental concerns and urban land constraints.
Officials say the reforms aim to ensure fair access to basic funeral services, reduce financial burdens on families, and strengthen oversight of funeral facilities nationwide.
Together, the two policy updates signal a shift toward standardised, privacy-focused, and publicly accountable funeral management.
Written by Ronnie Yu.
If you liked this article, why not read: Returning to Nature: The Rise of Green Burials in China
