A Chinese political advisor on Wednesday called for the end of government monopoly on funeral and interment items.

"The public are angry about the exorbitant prices of funeral goods and tombs," said Li Baoku, member of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top advisory body.

For decades, the market of funeral goods has been controlled by the civil affairs departments of the government. In some areas, a cinerary casket can sell as much as 1,000 yuan (about US$125), according to Li, former vice minister of civil affairs.

Regulations on funeral services issued by the State Council in 1997 only stipulate that the building of funeral homes and funeral service facilities should be subject to the approval of civil affairs departments.

However, Li opposed the commercialization of cremation, saying it is difficult for the government to exert a proper supervision over burning corpse.

Statistics showed China's funeral and interment sector made a profit of some 1.1 billion yuan in 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2007)