This year's traditional Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, will be celebrated more on the Internet than at cemeteries with an increasing number of funeral companies around the country offering such environmentally friendly remembrance services.

 

Qingming is celebrated on April 5 and is a day when the living remember and honor deceased loved ones.

 

This year, many people are holding online memorial ceremonies for the late Hong Kong singer and actor Leslie Cheung, who committed suicide three years ago. On designated websites, they can "present" him with virtual floral bouquets, post memorial messages or dedicate songs to the late superstar.

 

Civil affairs bureaus in many cities are also encouraging the use of online remembrance services because they are more environmentally friendly.

 

Traditionally, people sweep tombs, say prayers, burn paper money and leave food offerings.

 

Shanghai Funeral Service Center was set up in 2001 and about 40 million people so far have logged on to "pay their respects."

 

Gongdeyuan, a public cemetery in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, also set up a website offering memorial services. It guarantees that online memorial halls can be reached in seconds anytime 365 days a year.

 

Experts believe that more people opt for the online alternative as a way to overcome time and travel restrictions. 

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2006)