Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the life and work of Xu Senlin, a funeral service worker, emphasizing the emotional challenges and societal perceptions of the funeral industry in China, as well as the growing demand for professional funeral services due to demographic changes. Group 1: Industry Growth and Trends - The funeral service industry in China has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, with a significant increase in the number of registered companies, particularly a 50.72% year-on-year increase in 2021, reaching a peak in the last ten years with 26,500 new registrations [23]. - Factors such as population aging, urbanization, and rising consumer spending are driving the expansion of the funeral service sector, leading to a comprehensive development in both quality and quantity [44]. Group 2: Professional Practices and Challenges - Xu Senlin and his team provide comprehensive funeral services, ensuring that they are familiar with local customs and practices, which vary by region and ethnicity [21]. - The emotional toll on funeral service workers is significant, as they often deal with grieving families who may express their sorrow through anger or physical outbursts [24]. - The work requires a high level of responsibility and attention to detail, as each family’s needs and cultural practices must be respected and accommodated [21][25]. Group 3: Personal Experiences and Societal Perceptions - Xu Senlin's personal journey reflects the stigma associated with working in the funeral industry, as friends and family may distance themselves due to the nature of his work [18][19]. - Despite the challenges, there is a growing recognition and appreciation for the work done by funeral service professionals, with many families expressing gratitude for the support provided during difficult times [34][54]. - The industry is often viewed as lucrative, but the reality involves significant emotional labor and irregular working hours, with workers frequently on call [37][41]. Group 4: Community Engagement and Support - Xu Senlin and his team have engaged in charitable acts, such as providing free services to families in need, demonstrating a commitment to compassion within the industry [49][50]. - The use of social media platforms to share experiences and educate the public about funeral practices aims to normalize discussions around death and promote understanding [56][57].

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry in China, traditionally seen as a stable market, is facing significant challenges as consumer spending on high-end burial services declines, leading to substantial losses for major companies like Fushouyuan [3][12][20]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The average daily death toll in China exceeds 28,000, making the funeral industry a "recession-proof" sector [1]. - The funeral service market in China was valued at 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 and is projected to reach 411.4 billion yuan by 2026 [5]. - Fushouyuan, the leading company in the industry, has seen a collective revenue decline among several listed funeral service companies [3][19]. Group 2: Company Performance - Fushouyuan reported a net loss of 260 million yuan for the first half of 2025, confirming previous loss warnings [3][12]. - The company's total revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately 611 million yuan, a 44.5% decrease from the previous year [12]. - Sales of operational burial plots decreased by 6.7% to 6,253 units compared to the same period last year, with average sales price dropping by 57,000 yuan per unit [14][17]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The decline in consumer spending on high-end burial services is attributed to changing consumer behavior and economic conditions, with customers becoming more cautious in their spending [20]. - The shift in consumer preferences is leading to a rise in demand for more cost-effective and eco-friendly burial options, such as sea burials and tree burials [24][28]. - Regulatory changes are also impacting the industry, with the government promoting "public welfare funerals" and tightening regulations on pricing and service standards [28][29]. Group 4: Future Trends - The funeral industry is transitioning from a high-growth "real estate-like" model to a service-oriented model focused on humanistic care [33]. - Companies are exploring digital solutions and human-centered services to adapt to changing market demands, such as online memorials and life education services [30][31]. - The industry's future may hinge on balancing humanistic values with commercial profitability, as traditional revenue models are being challenged [33][34].

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry in China, traditionally seen as a stable market, is facing significant challenges as consumer behavior shifts and companies report declining revenues and increasing losses [4][12][18]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The funeral service market in China was valued at 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 and is projected to reach 411.4 billion yuan by 2026 [7]. - Fushouyuan, the leading company in the sector, reported a net loss of 260 million yuan in the first half of 2025, confirming previous loss warnings [4][12]. - The average sales price of operational graves at Fushouyuan increased from 102,500 yuan in 2018 to 119,500 yuan in 2023, with a projected price of approximately 121,200 yuan in 2024 [10]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Fushouyuan's total revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately 611 million yuan, a decrease of 44.5% compared to the previous year [12]. - The number of operational graves sold by Fushouyuan decreased by 6.7% year-on-year, from 6,704 to 6,253 graves, with a significant drop in revenue from grave services [14][18]. - The overall revenue for Fushouyuan fell by 20.9% in 2024 due to a reduction in grave sales [15]. Group 3: Changing Consumer Behavior - Consumers are becoming more cautious with their spending on funeral services, leading to a decline in the purchase of high-end graves [20][21]. - There is a growing preference for eco-friendly burial options, such as sea burials and tree burials, as people seek more cost-effective and meaningful ways to honor the deceased [24][28]. - Cultural shifts in attitudes towards death and funerals are prompting individuals to prioritize personal connections over extravagant ceremonies [28][30]. Group 4: Industry Transformation - The funeral industry is experiencing a shift from a profit-driven model based on high land prices to a service-oriented approach focused on humanistic care [30][34]. - Companies are exploring digital solutions and human-centered services, such as online memorials and life education, to adapt to changing market demands [30][31]. - The traditional revenue model of selling graves is being challenged, as new digital services may offer lower profit margins, requiring companies to serve a larger customer base to maintain profitability [32][34].

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry in China, traditionally seen as a stable market, is facing significant challenges as consumer spending on high-end burial services declines, leading to substantial losses for leading companies like Fushouyuan [2][10][12]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The average daily death toll in China exceeds 28,000, making the funeral industry a "recession-proof" sector [1]. - The funeral service market in China was valued at 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 and is projected to reach 411.4 billion yuan by 2026 [4]. - Fushouyuan, the leading company in the sector, was listed in Hong Kong in 2013 and is known for its high-end burial services [5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Fushouyuan reported a net loss of 260 million yuan for the first half of 2025, confirming previous loss warnings [2]. - The company's total revenue for the first half of 2025 was approximately 611 million yuan, a 44.5% decrease from the previous year [10]. - Sales of operational burial plots decreased by 6.7% year-on-year, with the average sales price dropping by 57,000 yuan per plot [10][12]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The decline in revenue is attributed to changing consumer behavior, with customers becoming more cautious in their spending on funeral services [13]. - The shift in consumer preferences is evident as more individuals opt for eco-friendly burial methods, such as sea burials and tree burials, which are gaining popularity [19]. - The industry is experiencing a transformation as traditional high-margin business models based on land scarcity are being challenged by economic downturns and changing consumer attitudes towards death and funerals [20][21]. Group 4: Strategic Responses - Companies are adjusting their product offerings to include mid-range services to cater to changing consumer demands [13]. - Fushouyuan is exploring digital services and human-centered care, such as life memorial spaces and emotional healing services, to enhance value [23][25]. - The transition from asset-based sales to service-oriented models poses challenges, as companies must balance emotional investment with profitability [25][26].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Fushouyuan, a leading player in the cemetery industry, has experienced a significant decline in financial performance, reporting a loss of over 200 million yuan after previously earning 300 million yuan the year before, leading to a 9% drop in stock price [1][2] - The average price of a burial plot at Fushouyuan reached 121,200 yuan, which is 1.76 times higher than the average price of second-hand housing in Beijing, indicating a high cost of burial plots compared to real estate [1][2] - Sales of burial plots have decreased, with Fushouyuan selling 12,600 plots last year, nearly 4,000 fewer than the previous year, suggesting a decline in demand [2][3] Group 2 - Fushouyuan attributes its financial losses to macroeconomic factors, claiming that consumers are becoming more budget-conscious, as the price of 121,200 yuan is close to the average annual salary of an ordinary person [2][5] - The strategy of relying on continuous price increases to compensate for declining sales has not been effective, as consumers are unwilling to pay the high prices [3][4] - The situation highlights the reality that there are no forever appreciating assets, only consumers who remain vigilant about their spending [4]

Core Viewpoint - The funeral industry is at the initial stage of digital transformation, which is expected to bring significant changes in practices and high-quality development through the realization of four key advancements: timeliness, spatiality, holography, and simulation [1][22]. Group 1: Advantages of Digital Transformation - Digital transformation in the funeral industry offers multiple advantages compared to traditional practices, including time, space, and simulation benefits [3][6]. - The time advantage allows for more efficient handling of funeral activities, enabling timely communication and emotional expression, which has not been possible before [6]. - The spatial advantage enables remote participation in memorial services, allowing individuals to connect with ceremonies regardless of their physical location [7]. - The simulation advantage leverages AI technology to create digital representations of the deceased, facilitating a new form of interaction and remembrance in the metaverse [9]. Group 2: Implementation of Digital Transformation - The digital transformation in the funeral industry requires a comprehensive understanding of various application scenarios to identify potential digital needs and solutions [2][12]. - The industry must embrace a dual role as both a demand and supply side in the digital transformation process, necessitating collaboration with external technology providers [13]. - Key application scenarios include digitizing cultural summaries of the deceased, enhancing service environments, and providing intelligent consultation solutions [14][15]. Group 3: High-Quality Development - The digital transformation is seen as a crucial strategy for achieving high-quality development in the funeral industry, aligning with broader societal technological advancements [21][22]. - The focus should be on achieving the four advancements to enhance service accessibility, eliminate spatial barriers, and create immersive digital experiences for clients [22][23]. - While digital tools can enhance the funeral experience, the human element in service delivery remains irreplaceable, emphasizing the importance of personal involvement in memorial practices [23].

清明时节，人们手捧鲜花走向墓园，祭奠逝去的亲人。然而，这片承载着生者哀思的土地上，却正经历着一场暗流涌动的风暴。 清明节前夕，中国殡葬业龙头公司福寿园发布了惨淡的2024年业绩公告，全年总营收为20.78亿元人民币，同比下降20.9%，归母净利润为3.73亿元人民 币，同比下降52.8%。除福寿园外，其他大型的业内企业，如福成股份、安贤园中国都出现了不同程度的业绩滑坡。 在外界看来，殡葬行业一直是一门"神秘且暴利"的生意。特别是自殡葬行业市场化以来，不断成长的规模和日益完善的产业服务，不仅承载了亿万国人的 需求，也推动相关商品如墓地的价格陡增。 而如今，行业龙头企业们纷纷遭遇业绩锐减，折射出的不仅是企业的经营困境，也是整个行业在当下消费浪潮中的艰难转身。 市场化浪潮下的生死经济 在计划经济时期，殡葬服务主要由民政部门下属的国有单位提供，遗体处理、火化等环节实行价格管制，以公益为主。直到八九十年代后期，民营资本才 开始涉足墓地开发及殡仪服务。市场化的春风不仅唤醒了经济领域的活力，也悄然改变了中国人处理"人生大事"的方式。 企查查数据显示，国内现存殡葬用品相关企业28.06万家。近十年相关企业注册量呈持续增长态势 ...