Recently, in Shouning County, Ningde City, Fujian Province, a resident was administratively detained for 3 days for allegedly disrupting public order when arranging a funeral procession on the street. Another local resident who led the way for the procession was also detained for 5 days. Additionally, four public officials who participated in the funeral procession were also punished. This incident has sparked widespread attention online.
According to an official announcement from the Shounin County Office for Promoting Civilized Customs on June 16th, the local authorities implemented “Several Opinions on Promoting Civilized Customs” starting from June 1st this year.
On June 11th, during a funeral procession in Dongfang Shangzhu Community in Aoyang Town, a resident, despite being aware of the aforementioned policy and having signed a commitment letter, still arranged to carry the coffin and walk along the street during the funeral procession. Some individual party members and public officials also participated, violating regulations and laws. The main persons involved, He Mouqing and Zhu Mouli, were detained for 3 and 5 days respectively for “disrupting public order.”
In addition to the two main individuals on-site, two staff members of Xianlin Funeral Parlor were also held accountable. The on-duty driver Ye Mouhui and the body transport staff He Mouqi were criticized for not effectively advising and preventing such actions. Their daily driving performance allowances were deducted, and each was fined an additional 200 Chinese yuan. Ye Mouhui also faced suspension.
The four public officials who participated in the street funeral procession were punished for “leading to crossing the line.” For example, He Banggui from the County Road Safety Office received a warning. Education Bureau staff Li Zhaohui and Gao Lihuan, as well as He Bangwu, a village grid member in Tuoxi Township, were ordered to submit written reviews. Furthermore, relevant supervisory authorities, including the Education Bureau, Civil Affairs Bureau, Aoyang Town, Tuoxi Township, and the Traffic Police Brigade’s main responsible persons were interviewed, while other accountable leaders and employees were criticized and educated.
After the publication of the punishment report, it triggered heated discussions among netizens. Many expressed surprise, saying, “It’s unbelievable that one can be detained for this.,” “Wow, they regulate even this?,” “After living for over sixty years, this is the first time hearing that carrying a coffin for a funeral procession is a violation.”
Some netizens questioned the legality of the detention periods for the individuals involved, “How does detaining them for 3 and 5 days comply with the law?,” “Burying the dead and sending them off is a final act of filial piety and a way to maintain emotional connection, how did it become a violation of outdated customs?,” “Walking with a coffin on the street for the deceased’s final journey isn’t a breach of public order and morals, so why the accountability measures?,” “It’s nitpicking.,” “Making a mountain out of a molehill.,” “Creating trouble out of nothing.”