The unique hiring practices of a Chinese funeral home have sparked curiosity and amusement online, shedding light on the challenges and peculiarities of working in the funeral services sector.
A seemingly ordinary job advertisement took an extraordinary twist when applicants were required to endure a 10-minute stay in a freezing morgue as part of the hiring process.
This unconventional test has prompted discussions about the ethics of such practices, the compensation offered, and the broader trends in China’s growing funeral services industry.
The Unconventional Job Requirement
The Rushan Funeral Services Centre in Shandong province, northern China, recently made headlines when it announced a peculiar hiring test for the position of a “morgue manager.”
According to the job posting, candidates must pass a test requiring them to spend 10 minutes inside a freezing morgue before qualifying for an interview. While some see it as a creative method to assess candidates’ psychological resilience, others view it as an unnecessary and questionable practice.
Applicants must meet several prerequisites to apply for this role, including permanent household registration in Rushan, being male, under 45 years old, and possessing at least a junior secondary school education.
The job entails working 24-hour shifts and comes with a three-year contract, a modest monthly salary of 2,200 yuan (approximately $300), and allowances for night shifts.
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The job advertisement also includes a 70 yuan (approximately $10) exam fee, which some critics have called exploitative. The hiring process is extensive, featuring multiple stages such as structured interviews, background checks, medical exams, and a six-month probation period. However, the morgue test remains the most controversial aspect.
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A staff member explained that the test aims to evaluate candidates’ ability to handle the challenging and often taboo nature of funeral home work. “Some people have strong taboos or fears about staying too long in such settings, but our work requires someone who can remain in the room for more than 10 minutes,” the staff member told Eastern Business News.
Reactions and Ethical Concerns
The peculiar hiring practice has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many finding the test amusing, while others criticized its ethics and effectiveness. Online jokes and commentary reflected a mix of humor and skepticism.
One netizen quipped, “This is much better than interviewing 10 living people. At least they didn’t ask me to stay in a crematorium for 10 minutes!” Others expressed disbelief that such a low salary could justify the unique test, with one remarking, “I could stay for 10 hours, just give me a book and a bottle of water. But the pay is too low.”
Some professionals in the funeral services sector have raised concerns about the appropriateness of the test. A manager surnamed Wang, with extensive experience in funeral home management, told Jimu News that while psychological resilience is essential in this line of work, there are better methods to evaluate it.
“You can do professional psychological tests or set up an internship period, but this type of on-site test before the interview is inappropriate,” Wang said.
The test also raises ethical questions. Is it fair to subject jobseekers to potentially distressing scenarios as a prerequisite for employment? Critics argue that such methods may deter qualified candidates from applying, especially given the already low appeal of the job due to its modest salary and lack of long-term benefits.
China’s Growing Funeral Services Industry
While this unusual hiring practice has drawn significant attention, it also sheds light on China’s expanding funeral services sector. The industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, driven by the country’s aging population and increasing demand for specialized services.
According to Zhiyan Consulting, the market size of China’s funeral services sector grew from 169.5 billion yuan (approximately $22 billion) in 2015 to 310.2 billion yuan (approximately $42 billion) by 2022.
Last year, there were 4,605 funeral service institutions nationwide, with cemetery services companies accounting for the largest share at 57.84%. This growth reflects a shift in societal attitudes toward funeral services, with more families opting for professional assistance to manage end-of-life arrangements.
Despite this expansion, challenges remain. The industry often struggles to attract and retain talent due to the nature of the work and the stigma associated with death-related professions. Positions like body management and crematory work are particularly demanding and require specialized skills, which are not always adequately compensated.
The Rushan Funeral Services Centre’s morgue test is an extreme example of the lengths some employers go to ensure candidates are suitable for the job.
However, experts believe that more sustainable solutions are needed to address the talent shortage in the industry. These include offering competitive salaries, improving working conditions, and providing psychological support to employees.
As the funeral services market continues to grow, it will likely need to adapt to changing societal expectations and labor market dynamics.
While unconventional hiring practices like the morgue test may grab headlines, the industry’s long-term success will depend on its ability to professionalize and humanize its workforce.
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