CHAPTER 25 · 10 SOURCE ENTRIES

Handling End-of-Life Affairs

人走了以后要办什么

[← 回总目录](../README.md) 口径：金钱。本节只讲手续怎么办、钱怎么拿，包括人刚走时先做什么、哪些费用有清单可以对。还有哪些账户里的钱能取回来，哪些事近亲属有权出面办。前五条按事情发生的先后排，依次是现场、死亡证明、遗体和火化、对死因有异议怎么办、销户。后面几条按性价比排。老人生前该做的安排，比如意定监护、遗嘱、账户，见第 17 节。因工死亡的三笔待遇见第 19 节。殡葬这部分依据新版《殡葬管理条例》，2026 年 3 月 30 日起施行。养老保险的丧葬补助金和遗属抚恤金给多少，由人力资源社会保障部门另外规定。这次没拿到能逐字核对的原文，所以正文不写具体金额。

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25-001

Evidence AfreedomSource-sensitive

If someone dies at home or elsewhere, first determine whether it’s a natural or unnatural death: in cases of accidents, unknown causes, or deaths discovered only after a long period of solitude, call the police immediately and leave the body and scene untouched.

人在家里或外面没了，先分清正常死亡还是非正常死亡：意外、死因不明、独居才发现的，立刻报警，遗体和现场不要动

For deaths caused by accidents, of unknown origin, or those found only after a long time alone, only the police can issue a death certificate. If the scene has been disturbed, it becomes difficult to clarify what happened and to obtain a certificate. Without this document, cremation, household registration cancellation, and insurance claims all become impossible. When in doubt, dial 110 right away. Once police arrive and conduct their investigation, they will issue the certificate just the same.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “If someone dies at home or elsewhere, first determine whether it’s a natural or unnatural death: in cases of accidents, unknown causes, or deaths discovered only after a long period of solitude, call the police immediately and leave the body and scene untouched.” to Future Me's calendar

The routine already works until the day the source says it may not.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-002

Evidence Atime-energy

The death certificate is the key to everything that follows: whoever provided treatment issues it; for natural deaths at home, contact the local community health service center. It must be issued within one day.

死亡证明是后面所有事的钥匙：谁救治谁开，家中正常死亡找社区卫生服务机构，一日内签发

If the death occurs in a hospital, the hospital that treated the patient issues the certificate. For natural deaths at home, the community health service center or township health clinic serving that area issues it. When the cause of death is clear, the certificate is issued within 24 hours. It is required for deregistration, cremation, withdrawal from a housing provident fund, receipt of social insurance benefits, insurance claims, and estate settlement — so be sure to make several copies right away.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “The death certificate is the key to everything that follows: whoever provided treatment issues it; for natural deaths at home, contact the local community health service center. It must be issued within one day.” to Future Me's calendar

There is no immediate alarm, so the sensible choice can wait for a less busy week.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-003

Evidence Amoney

Transport, storage, and cremation of remains must be handled by funeral homes; hospital morgues cannot provide such services, and storage is generally limited to 3 days.

遗体接运、存放、火化只能走殡仪馆，医院太平间不办殡仪，存放一般不超过 3 日

Transport, storage, embalming, body preparation, and cremation can only be done by funeral homes. Hospital morgues are not authorized to handle funeral services; they may only provide temporary storage for remains. Funeral homes typically store bodies for no more than 3 days; any longer period requires an extension request. Cremation can only proceed with a death certificate and cremation authorization document. The cremation certificate issued afterward is necessary for inheritance claims and insurance processing.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Transport, storage, and cremation of remains must be handled by funeral homes; hospital morgues cannot provide such services, and storage is generally limited to 3 days.” to Future Me's calendar

Future Me has a clearer calendar, more patience, and apparently the same responsibilities.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-004

Evidence AmoneySource-sensitive

Disagreement over cause of death: request an autopsy within 48 hours and have medical records sealed

对死因有异议，48 小时内提出尸检，同时封存病历

If there is any doubt about how someone died, an autopsy must be requested within 48 hours after death. Hospitals with proper freezing facilities may extend this window to 7 days. Consent from close relatives is also required for the autopsy. If consent is not given or the deadline is missed, the party responsible for the delay bears the liability for any subsequent uncertainty over the cause of death. Alongside the autopsy request, it is essential to demand that all medical records be sealed. Once the body is cremated, an autopsy becomes impossible.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Disagreement over cause of death: request an autopsy within 48 hours and have medical records sealed” to Future Me's calendar

If I do not open the notes, no new task has technically appeared.

Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-005

Evidence Atime-energy

Legal deadlines for canceling hukou registration: in cities, before burial; in rural areas, within one month

注销户口有法定时限：城市在安葬前，农村在一个月以内

In cities, you must cancel hukou registration before burial; in rural areas, you must do it within one month. Bring the death certificate and household register to the police station to complete the process. Failing to do so will block any inheritance transfers, benefit claims, or insurance cancellations due to the unresolved hukou status.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Legal deadlines for canceling hukou registration: in cities, before burial; in rural areas, within one month” to Future Me's calendar

One more exception feels free because the bill arrives outside the current scene.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-006

Evidence Amoney

Funeral services are divided into basic and non-basic categories; a list of basic services exists, with their fees set by law.

殡葬服务分基础项目和非基础项目，基础项目有清单、收费依法制定

Transporting, storing, and cremating a body, holding a farewell ceremony, keeping ashes in storage, and eco-friendly burial options — all fall under the national list of basic services. This also includes burial spaces provided by government-run funeral agencies. Prices for these services are strictly regulated by law; no extra fees may be charged outside this list. Before making any arrangements, be sure to confirm which services are considered basic and what the local rates are.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Funeral services are divided into basic and non-basic categories; a list of basic services exists, with their fees set by law.” to Future Me's calendar

I can spend longer deciding whether to start than the small action would take.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-007

Evidence Amoney

If you encounter forced bundling, extra charges beyond the listed price, or a single service being split into multiple line items for billing, make a note of it and file a complaint.

遇到强制搭售、标价外加价、把一项拆成几项收费，记下来投诉

All these practices are explicitly listed as price violations under regulations: failing to display price lists, adding extra charges beyond the posted price, bundling funeral products and services and forcing you to buy them, and compelling you to use third‑party paid services. Splitting one service into several separate charges is also a form of price inflation. On the spot, ask for a price list and keep any receipts, invoices, and chat records. You can still file a complaint later. For price violations, contact the market regulation authority; for funeral services specifically, reach out to the civil affairs bureau.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “If you encounter forced bundling, extra charges beyond the listed price, or a single service being split into multiple line items for billing, make a note of it and file a complaint.” to Future Me's calendar

The routine already works until the day the source says it may not.

Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-008

Evidence Amoney

Intermediaries such as funeral service agents, vendors of funeral goods, and event planners must register with the county-level civil affairs bureau

殡葬代理、用品代购、策划主持这类中介，要在县级民政备案

Intermediaries offering services like funeral planning, procurement of funeral products, event coordination, and information consultation must register with the county-level civil affairs bureau. Those that fail to register are excluded from the official funeral service information system managed by the bureau. Availability of online lookup tools varies by region; the safest approach is to call the local civil affairs bureau directly. Any operators found to be charging excessive fees through deceptive practices or selling information related to deceased individuals will be held legally accountable.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Intermediaries such as funeral service agents, vendors of funeral goods, and event planners must register with the county-level civil affairs bureau” to Future Me's calendar

There is no immediate alarm, so the sensible choice can wait for a less busy week.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-009

Evidence AmoneySource-sensitive

Retrieving scattered funds: housing provident fund balances, social insurance payouts, and work‑related death benefits

分散在各处的钱要逐个去取：公积金余额、社保待遇、工伤待遇

Heirs can withdraw the balance in a deceased person’s housing provident fund account; this money is not held in a regular bank account, so it is easy to overlook. Money remaining in the individual pension account can also be inherited. If the death was due to illness, family members receive a funeral allowance plus a survivor’s pension for 3 to 24 months. In cases of death at work, three additional benefits apply.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Retrieving scattered funds: housing provident fund balances, social insurance payouts, and work‑related death benefits” to Future Me's calendar

Future Me has a clearer calendar, more patience, and apparently the same responsibilities.

Today I keep a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

25-010

Evidence Afreedom

Relatives of the deceased may request access to, copies of, corrections to, and deletion of their personal information

死者的账号和个人信息，近亲属可以要求查阅、复制、更正、删除

After a person passes away, their close relatives may, for their own lawful and legitimate interests, ask the platform to access, copy, correct, or delete that person’s personal information. If the platform denies such requests, it must provide a valid reason. Legal action in court is also an option. One exception applies: if the deceased made prior arrangements—such as designating a successor to their account or expressing clear intentions—those instructions must be followed.

Open the low-ROI detour

Move “Relatives of the deceased may request access to, copies of, corrections to, and deletion of their personal information” to Future Me's calendar

If I do not open the notes, no new task has technically appeared.

Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.

Read the source and trade-off

Source snapshot: a994b6a0c90598b0fe15cb837343f438dbf7b95d. Every original stays available in Chinese alongside the English edition.