[DevaRextusidis]

'Criers' and tomb-sweepers for hire

Published April 2, 2012



A company in China is providing tomb-sweeping services and 'professional criers' to mourn the departed during Qing Ming, which falls on Wednesday.

According to the company, the criers charge 300 yuan for every 10 minutes of 'crying'.

The tomb-sweeping services cost 3,000 yuan for local cemeteries and as high as 20,000 yuan for tombs located at remote areas.

The package includes fruits, joss sticks and offerings.

"We also read out the eulogy, kowtow, cry or call out your relatives', father's or mother's names.

"The whole process will take about 30 to 45 minutes, which is definitely long enough. We can also take video clips of the whole process and mail a copy to you," said a man at the company's home office in Tianjin.



Suddenly, the reporter heard the sound of a person crying from another room.

"Don't worry. I have just hired a few people, they are practicing crying," said the man, adding that these 'criers' can cry for 30 minutes at the most.

But, what if they can't cry?

"Impossible! They're desperate for money and are experienced," said the man.

In order to convince the reporter, the man brought him to the room and asked a middle-aged woman to cry.

And in less than 10 seconds, the woman started crying while uttering sad and mournful words. She cried louder and louder until her entire face was covered with tears.