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29 March 2024

Officials buy corpse to meet cremation target

He hit the victim on his head with a piece of wood and then stabbed him. (Shutterstock)

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By Staff

Two Chinese officials, suspected of buying corpse from robbers to meet the government cremation target, have been arrested.

The incident came to light when a local man contacted police saying his grandpa’s tomb in the city of Beiliu was broken and the body removed, reported DailyMail.

Earlier, in July a robber was arrested who confessed to stealing around 20 bodies and selling them off to two funeral management officials. One of the men allegedly bought the corpse for £ 300 each.

According to local media reports quoting investigating officials, the men burnt the corpse to meet the monthly cremation quota set by the government.

After the news of their arrest, locals from neighbouring villages are coming forward complaining of bodies missing.

The government implemented restrictions on graveyards to save space for farms. Ancestor worship is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, which specifies that the body be left untouched for the dead to enter the afterlife without difficulty. And the dead are buried in large tombs so families can perform rituals.