CRI听力:Hangzhou Takes the Lead in Offering Free Funeral Services

The eastern city of Hangzhou has become China's first provincial capital to provide free basic funeral services to its residents.

The policy will save the families of each deceased person 1,200 yuan, or about 180 U.S. dollars, and offer additional assistance to low-income groups.

XYee has the details.

Hangzhou residents spend an average of 2,000 yuan on individual funeral services.



Now, they are delighted to know that they will not have to pay so much when a family member passes away.

Ms. Shen has just come to the Hangzhou Funeral Parlor for funeral services for one of her friend's deceased relatives.

She says the new policy is of great help to her impoverished friend.

"The family of my friend is poor enough. So I feel that my friend will be relieved as the funeral services are free now. You know, we have already planned to donate (money) to the family."

The Hangzhou Civil Affairs Department says free funeral services include transportation, storage and cremation of the body, which costs 1,200 yuan for each deceased person.

Low-income families will receive further cost exemptions on urns.

The program, funded by the local government, is mainly for people with Hangzhou residency permits. But it also covers migrant workers who have worked in the city for at least one year.

Zhang Yong, an official at the local civil affairs department, says the new policy demonstrates equal treatment for all residents.

"The economic and social development of Hangzhou has not been created merely by residents with residency permits. We feel that the migrant workers have made great contributions to the prosperity of Hangzhou. So it's the responsibility of the government to give equal treatment to the group."

Zhang says the local government will earmark about 20 million yuan each year for the program.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs pledged in early April to gradually provide free funeral and interment services to citizens nationwide.

For CRI, I'm XYee.