Life of Guangzhou - 'Mail Service to Heaven' Offered

Writing a letter to those who have passed away to express your feelings towards them is one way to remember your loved ones.

Now a cemetery is offering people the chance to leave a message for their deceased relatives and friends and let it do the rest.

The cemetery in Longgang District has recently started providing a “mail delivery service to heaven” as the Qingming Festival, during which people pay respects to their ancestors, falls today.

Jitian Permanent Cemetery Shenzhen set up the “heaven mailbox” in its lobby for people who want to share something with their forefathers.

“The service is free. We will collect letters from the mailbox regularly, and burn them in a ceremonial event,” said a cemetery spokesman.

The spokesman said such an act can help people feel that those who have passed away are still alive, and reduce the risks of fire caused by burning letters elsewhere.

For people living far away or overseas, the cemetery also provides an online tomb-sweeping service.

According to a report by the Daily Sunshine on Sunday, more than 40,000 people are expected to pay their respects to their relatives at the city’s three major cemeteries during the weekend. (By Tan Xiaomi)