In a few days time it will be #China’s first annual festival of the dead, #QingMingFestival, the country’s version of Remembrance Day combined with ancestors day. Over the last decade or so, tomb sweeping customs have had to change http://snowpavilion.co.uk/burying-the-dead-in-21st-century-china/

In the aftermath of the #coronavirus outbreak, these are having to adapt rapidly again, as central and regional governments are urging people to arrange online funerals and adopt “cloud-based” tomb sweeping rituals in 2020. #China #QingMingFestival

One kind of yun saomu (cloud tomb sweeping) involves apps and performing rituals before virtual altars. This is a well-remembered individual indeed, with 22250 sets of offerings already made to her name. #Covid_19 #China #QingMingFestival

“Though I’m far away, my thoughts are in the clouds and my heart is near.“

You can the enter grave number of your loved one to find their grave, and start virtual tomb sweeping. #QingMingFestival

I do like the idea of the various types of mementos you can now have made to remember the deceased, such as crystalised gems from their ashes and other relics. #QingMingFestival #China

Jiedi Shengtai (space-saving & ecological) burials have been popular in #China in recent years - cremation followed by the common options of storing the ashes under a tree, in a park, or in a 壁龛 bikan ("wall altar") - wall memorial. #QingMingFestival

This state-subsidized and charity-funded graveyard in #Beijing not only has a military bikan, and a Catholic one, but also a library bikan, where the ashes of the deceased are stored behind their favourite books. This is tempting. #QingMingFestival #China