Beijing, Apr 4 (IANS): Funeral homes in China's Shanghai city are facing a difficult time following losses suffered due to rising diesel prices and a stagnant fee-structure over the years.
According to an industry insider, the relatively low cremation fees hasn't changed for 17 years. It has forced the industry to charge more for cremation related services to make up for those losses, the China Daily reported.
Cao Baofu, deputy director of Shanghai's Yishan Funeral Home, said it loses about 260 yuan ($40) on every cremation.
It is so because the 1995 cremation rate (180 yuan) still prevails while diesel fuel prices have increased about nine times.
Yishan Funeral Home, the city's biggest undertaker, said its main sources of income were in its cemetery business and in storing ashes.