I suppose each country has their own weird customs and traditions that the rest of the world looks at rather wide-eyed, but can you imagine the reaction if you hired strippers for the next funeral you attended?

It turns out this is not uncommon in China, although authorities are trying to put an end to the rural practice. So why would you want Destiny, Crystal and Lola to spice up the occasion by gyrating around in their undergarments? The BBC reports:

Strippers are used to boost funeral attendances because large crowds are seen as a mark of honour for the deceased…

The ministry named two recent examples where strippers had been invited to stage “obscene performances” – one in north China’s Hebei Province and another in east China’s Jiangsu. In both cases, both organisers and performers have been punished, it said, adding that it will work with police to stamp out the practice…

Having exotic performances of this nature at funerals highlights the trappings of modern life in China, whereby vanity and snobbery prevail over traditions

Now it isn’t our place to judge but surely the idea of honouring the deceased can’t really be reconciled with having ‘obscene performances’ during the funeral?

I’ve always said that I would like to have my friends and family tell amusing stories about me at my funeral. I doubt, however, that any of those stories would involve me removing my clothing whilst grinding on a pole. Well, there was that one time…

Ashes to ashes, bust to bust.

[source:bbc]