Check the basic and additional funeral-service lists and their authorized prices
China's national basic-service list includes body transport, storage, farewell ceremonies, cremation, ash storage, and ecological burial, plus ash-niche interment provided by government-run funeral institutions. Charges follow the applicable pricing rules. Providers may not invent services or fees outside the authorized lists. First ask which services are basic and what the local rates are, then discuss extras.
What it takes
Nothing. Spend a few minutes checking before visiting.
What you may gain
The national basic-service list covers transport and storage of the body, farewell ceremonies, cremation, storage of ashes, ecological burial, and ash-niche interment at government-run institutions. Charges are set according to law rather than solely at the funeral home's discretion. Civil affairs authorities at prefecture-city level or above determine lists of non-basic services.
Context & considerations
Provinces, autonomous regions, and directly administered municipalities may add basic services to the national list. Ask for the categories and local prices before considering optional non-basic services. Distinguish those two authorized categories from entirely unlisted charges, which are prohibited. The original's phrase “outside the list is optional” should be understood as outside the basic list but within an authorized non-basic list. A dignified funeral can matter to a family; this advice does not prescribe simplicity or dictate where you should spend your money.
Research & references
State Council (2026). Regulations on Funeral and Interment Administration, Order No. 824, revised at the State Council's 72nd executive meeting on November 14, 2025, effective March 30, 2026. Article 5 divides services into basic and non-basic categories, assigns fee policy to national development and reform and finance authorities working with civil affairs and other departments, and specifies the national basic-service categories. Article 50 requires dynamically updated service lists and prohibits creating services or charging fees outside those lists. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202601/content_7054169.htm