China has called on local authorities to ensure safe and orderly cemetery visits during the upcoming Qingming Festival, or Tomb-sweeping Day, with a strong emphasis on fire prevention and the promotion of eco-friendly burial practices.

The directive was outlined in a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, as well as the National Fire and Rescue Administration.

The document, published on Tuesday, urges local governments to strengthen preparedness for the expected surge in visitors to grave sites during the traditional tomb-sweeping holiday.

Authorities are instructed to prevent price gouging and enforce industry oversight by requiring funeral service providers to publicly disclose all fees and pricing structures, ensuring transparency and public accountability.

Funeral homes and cemeteries must enhance customer service by adding service counters, extending operating hours, streamlining procedures, and providing humane care. They are also required to establish priority access for the elderly and people with disabilities to ensure full participation in tomb-sweeping activities.

A key focus of the circular is the prevention of forest and grassland fires. Local authorities are required to increase patrols and law enforcement efforts, using technologies such as video surveillance, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things to monitor potential risks.

The burning of paper offerings and setting off firecrackers are strictly prohibited in fire-risk areas.

"National mobile fire rescue teams and local firefighting forces must maintain a state of combat readiness," the document said, adding that deployment should be dynamically adjusted based on fire danger ratings to ensure rapid response. The directive also stresses the need to prevent stampedes and other incidents caused by overcrowding at cemeteries.

In line with China's broader push for greener practices, the circular encourages local authorities to promote low-carbon memorial activities. It advocates for replacing the traditional burning of paper money with flower offerings, tree planting, and online tributes.

Authorities are also urged to guide the public in shifting from physical tomb-sweeping toward spiritual remembrance, in order to preserve the traditional cultural practice of reverently honoring one's ancestors.

The circular further encourages organizing collective memorial services for individuals who donated their bodies for medical research, chose sea burials, or opted not to keep their ashes — an effort to honor their selflessness and commitment to ecological civilization.

Veterans and civil affairs departments are also instructed to organize activities commemorating revolutionary martyrs.

Officials are required to make steady progress in advancing funeral reforms.

The circular calls for the active promotion of civilized and economical funeral practices while resisting outdated customs and feudal superstitious activities.

It also encourages integrating funeral reforms and forest fire prevention into the criteria for recognizing civilized cities and villages, as well as into local regulations and public initiatives, with the goal of cultivating a modern funeral culture.