The entrance of China Civil Affairs University, the first university in China to offer a bachelor's degree program in funeral services  Photo: VCG

The recent news about a female student who scored high in the college entrance exam but chose to pursue studies in funeral services has become a trending topic on Sina Weibo, renewing people's discussions about this once "disliked" profession.

The young woman, Chen Xuetong, is studying at the China Civil Affairs University (CCAU) in Beijing, which became the first university in China to offer a bachelor's degree program in funeral services in June. 

In September, the university enrolled 150 students in its funeral services undergraduate program, with the admission score for this major being 20 to 30 points higher than that of other programs, according to China Youth Daily. 

The establishment of the undergraduate program in funeral services and an increasing number of young people willing to take up the profession is the result of a combination of market needs in the aging society, the improving life education, and the gradual transformation of social attitudes toward the profession.

Huihui, a 27-year-old cremator, told the Global Times on Thursday that the funeral industry "is gradually becoming a notable major in educational institutions," and has become a career path selected by many.

"You might not believe it, studying and working in this industry is very competitive. It demands great efforts to become a professional," she noted. "Compassion, attentive observations and emotional stability are the qualities of a funeral industry expert."   

Due to the good regulation of the funeral industry in China, the young cremator said the industry is no longer considered unpopular, but a "necessary social service" that is similar to people working in healthcare and catering. 

Chen said her understanding of the funeral industry came from videos by a vlogger who works as an embalmer. 

With a humorous, witty style that resonates with young people, the blogger helped Chen shift her original perception of the funeral industry. The good employment potential was also a major reason for Chen's decision to choose this field, China Youth Daily reported. According to a report by ­Guangming Daily, by 2026, the market size of China's funeral industry is expected to reach 411.4 billion yuan ($56.4 billion). 

However, despite the enormous demand in the market, there is a significant shortage of talent. Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that there are 4,605 funeral service institutions across the country, but only nine vocational schools offer related programs. The number of graduates each year is less than 1,000, while the annual talent gap in this field is estimated to be around 10,000 people.

The growth in the funeral industry is not merely about the technical aspects of burial or cremation. It's also about providing specialized, compassionate services that acknowledge the emotional and psychological needs of the living. 

"We try to innovate within the traditional industry, and we have also launched a letter-writing app called 'Tangible Remembrance.' We hope to use this platform, which acts as an everlasting repository of messages, to hold on to people's emotions and memories for their lost loved ones," Jiaying, who works at a funeral service company in Shanghai, told the Global Times.  

Another significant factor in this shift is the growing emphasis on life education, which is gradually leading to more open discussions about mortality. 

The significance of the funeral services program is that it is not only training skilled professionals in the field, but more importantly, also promoting the cultural concepts of life, guiding society in establishing a scientific view of life and death, and helping people redefine and better understand the funeral industry, said Xu Xiaoling, deputy dean of the School of Life Culture at CCAU.

Moreover, social attitudes toward the funeral industry have become more open and progressive, contributing to its growing appeal among young people. This growing acceptance and respect for the funeral industry is a reflection of a broader societal shift. As we continue to confront the realities of life and death, the young people who choose to work in this field deserve recognition and respect. 

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn