08Evidence A

Intermediaries such as funeral service agents, vendors of funeral goods, and event planners must register with the county-level civil affairs bureau

Intermediaries offering services like funeral planning, procurement of funeral products, event coordination, and information consultation must register with the county-level civil affairs bureau. Those that fail to register are excluded from the official funeral service information system managed by the bureau. Availability of online lookup tools varies by region; the safest approach is to call the local civil affairs bureau directly. Any operators found to be charging excessive fees through deceptive practices or selling information related to deceased individuals will be held legally accountable.

Cost

There is no cost involved. All you need to do is ask wheth…

Benefit

Unregistered intermediaries are not included in the official funeral service information system overseen by th…

Cost

There is no cost involved. All you need to do is ask whether registration has been completed.

Benefit

Unregistered intermediaries are not included in the official funeral service information system overseen by the civil affairs bureau. Entities that engage in fraudulent billing, pressure families into extravagant ceremonies, force acceptance of services, or illegally trade personal data of the deceased face legal penalties. Their records are also flagged within the system and made publicly accessible, ensuring transparency for all users.

Original sources

国务院 (2026). 殡葬管理条例(国务院令第 824 号,2025 年 11 月 14 日国务院第 72 次常务会议修订通过,「自2026年3月30日起施行」). https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202601/content_7054169.htm 第四十一条:「除殡葬服务机构外,从事殡葬服务代理、用品代购、策划主持、信息咨询等殡葬相关服务活动的组织和个人,应当向县级人民政府民政部门备案。」「对存在以欺骗等手段违规收费、诱导大操大办、强迫接受服务、倒卖逝者信息等损害丧属权益行为的依法处置,并在殡葬服务信息系统中进行标注,向社会公开。」

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Book note

“Illegal trading of information related to deceased individuals” represents one of the most prevalent risks in this sector. It is common for families to receive numerous unsolicited sales calls shortly after funeral arrangements, often indicating that their data has been sold on. Online virtual memorial platforms are similarly subject to these regulations; Article 45 explicitly prohibits such platforms from encouraging excessive spending or mishandling sensitive personal information.

My note