As Qingming Festival approaches, people in China go tomb-sweeping to pay their respects to their loved dead and worship their ancestors. In recent years, a new business offering 'tomb-sweeping' service has emerged. But only the market will be able to determine whether this service can prosper.
清明节将至，中国人会扫墓对逝者寄托哀思或者祭拜祖先。近年来，“代理扫墓”服务兴起了，但这项业务的前景如何只能靠市场来检验了。

Traditionally, tomb sweeping(扫墓) is considered to be a ceremony only for the family members of the dead(逝者). But the long distance(路途遥远) as well as congestion(拥挤) of people and vehicles at cemeteries has made it a painful experience for some during the brief period. As a result, tomb sweeping by proxy has emerged(兴起).

On Taobao.com, there are more than 20 online stores(网店) offering Tomb-Sweeping service. They sweep the tomb(打扫墓地) first, then hold a mini ceremony, including mourning(哀悼), pouring liquor(敬酒), burning paper sacrifices(烧纸), and donating flowers(献花), etc. Everything will be recorded(录像).

Some people think these services have a market, especially for those who live abroad, while the idea has also raised concerns about the commercialization(商业化) of the festival and declining filial piety(孝心). So far, most of tomb-sweeping service offered by on-line stores has attracted few customers.

重点词汇Key Words:

代理 dài lǐ
v.&n.
act for/represent/proxy/agent
eg. (1) 在她度假期间，她的律师一直代理她的业务。
zài tā dù jiǎ qī jiān ，tā de lǜ shī yī zhí dài lǐ tā de yè wù
Her solicitor has been acting for her in her business affairs during her vacation.

(2) 我是由本地的旅游代理人预先安排的度假事宜。
wǒ shì yóu běn dì de lǚ yóu dài lǐ rén yù xiān ān pái de dù jiǎ shì yí 。
I booked my holiday through my local travel agent.

扫墓 sǎo mù
v.&n.
pay respects to sb. at the tomb /tomb sweeping

孝心 xiào xīn
n.
filial piety

商业化 shāng yè huà
n.
commercialization