Stealing From the Dead: Shocking Insight Into China’s Unemployment Problem

Chinese tradition involves making offerings to the deceased, often placing ample fruit at grave sites. However, as unemployment continues to swell, theft of these offerings is becoming increasingly frequent. South China News reported numerous such incidents occurring in a single day in Guangdong province in April. Some have even resorted to installing surveillance in cemeteries to prevent offerings from being stolen. One man who consumed stolen offerings suffered from diarrhea and sought medical attention, only for subsequent investigation to reveal that the bereaved family had laced their offerings with pesticide. After discovering their offerings would be stolen in less than a day, they were left with no choice but to take such measures. A netizen remarked, "At the temple near my house, apples, oranges, and liquor have all been stolen. Prior to the pandemic, such instances would occasionally occur but were not common. Recently, many people continue to place new offerings upon hearing of thefts, only for them to be stolen again within a few days."