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A funeral home in Rushan, Shandong province, has captured public attention by requiring job applicants for a morgue manager position to spend 10 minutes in a freezing cold morgue as part of the hiring process. The unconventional test, introduced by Rushan Xinmike Human Resources Co., Ltd., has triggered a mix of amusement and debate online.
The position, advertised on December 6, offers a monthly salary of 2,200 yuan and is open to male candidates under 45 with permanent residency in Rushan and at least a junior secondary school education. Applicants must also pay a 70 yuan exam fee and commit to a three-year contract. Despite the modest salary, the role demands 24-hour shifts and includes a six-month probation period.
A representative from the Rushan Funeral Services Centre explained the rationale behind the unusual morgue test, saying it is designed to evaluate applicants’ psychological resilience in an environment that many find unsettling. However, a funeral management expert, surnamed Wang, criticized the method, calling it “inappropriate” and suggesting alternative assessments like professional psychological tests or internships.
China’s funeral services market has grown significantly in recent years, expanding from 169.5 billion yuan in 2015 to 310.2 billion yuan by 2022, according to Zhiyan Consulting. Despite the sector’s growth, positions in funeral homes often struggle to attract candidates due to societal taboos and low pay.
The job posting has sparked a lively discussion online. While some netizens found the requirement humorous, others were unimpressed by the salary. “I could stay for 10 hours - just give me a book and some water. But the pay is too low,” quipped one commenter. Another joked, “This is better than interviewing 10 living people. At least they didn’t ask me to stay in a crematorium for 10 minutes!”
Source: SCMP
