China will put an end to profiteering in tombs by improving funeral management, according to draft regulations publicized Monday by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council.

"Cemeteries will only be allowed to sell tombs or urns for ashes to customers with death certificates of relatives or friends," the draft regulations state.

Profiteering has reached macabre proportions since the current regulations on funeral and interment were proclaimed by the State Council in July 1997, said the Legislative Affairs Office in a notice.

"Some cemeteries have been speculating illegally in tomb plots, which is contrary to the public interest and has sparked protests," the notice reads.

An austere tomb in a cemetery located on the outskirts of Beijing is now priced at 2,500 yuan (about US$320) per square meter, almost 14 times more than it was ten years ago.

Tomb profiteering has been linked to the steeply rising cost of funerals in China. A proper sendoff can cost between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan (US$2500) in major cities.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2007)