Grieving Father Faces $57,000 Body Storage Fee After Daughter's Murder

Liu Fuchang's daughter, Liu Yun, was killed by her ex-boyfriend in January 2020, at the age of 25. The case went through two trials, and the perpetrator was eventually sentenced to death. However, during this time, Liu Yun's body was stored at the mortuary, and her family was not notified to claim or bury her. Now, with the case finally closed, Liu Fuchang is being asked to pay a substantial amount for the body storage fees, which he cannot afford. This situation is not unique, as another family in Shandong faced a similar dilemma, with a 150,000 yuan (approximately $21,000 USD) body storage fee.

The tragedy began with the murder, and over the course of two years, the perpetrator was brought to justice and eventually executed. However, Liu Fuchang was confronted with an unforeseen and overwhelming financial burden when he was informed by the funeral home that he was required to pay approximately 400,000 yuan for the preservation of his daughter's body. This staggering fee, imposed at a time when Liu Fuchang was already grappling with the immense grief of losing his child, pushed him to the edge of emotional collapse.

The news of such a hefty charge raised questions about the practices of funeral homes and the support systems in place for families who have suffered such traumatic losses. For Liu Fuchang, the demand for this large sum of money to preserve his daughter's body until the trial concluded and she could be laid to rest, was a cruel blow, adding financial hardship to his already unbearable emotional pain. The public's reaction to this incident has been intense, with many expressing their outrage and sympathy for the grieving father, calling for the government to clarify who should be responsible for bearing the expenses of body preservation in such cases.

Many are questioning the funeral home's pricing standards, arguing that there should be a standardized fee schedule, and that body preservation services related to criminal cases should be provided free of charge. These voices underscore the need for clearer regulations and more compassionate policies in cases where families are already dealing with immense trauma and loss. The outpouring of support and the demands for change reflect a broader societal concern about the sensitivity and fairness of current practices in handling sensitive situations like these.

This harrowing incident has ignited a pressing debate about who should bear the financial burden of preserving bodies in criminal cases. The exorbitant cost poses a significant hardship on the families of victims, potentially causing them secondary trauma. It is imperative that relevant authorities establish clear regulations as soon as possible to clarify who should be responsible for these expenses. By doing so, the government can prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and protect grieving families from additional suffering. The call for action from public opinion emphasizes the need for a swift and comprehensive solution to ensure that the handling of such tragic events is both humane and just. Ultimately, the responsibility for these costs should not fall on the shoulders of those who are already suffering from unimaginable loss.