China waived cremation fees for quake victims in Sichuan on May 17 and ordered crematoriums to refund fees charged beforehand, the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) said on Friday.

Zhang Shifeng, vice director in charge of cremation at the MCA, made this remark at a press conference in response to online complaints that the fees were too high.

Zhang said: "We noticed netizens' complaints and media criticism and the MCA has had timely contact with local civil affairs departments and crematoriums."

He explained the government had no time to draft a new policy from May 13-15 since at that point, the top priority was to rescue survivors, whatever the cost.

"From May 13 to 15, the crematoriums in Sichuan still applied a common cremation policy. After May 15, the government asked them to record the fees but not charge the victims' families," he said.

"From May 15, the crematoriums also began to refund fees charged for quake victims after the earthquake hit on May 12," he said.

In addition, a free urn worth 300 yuan (US$43.47) was being provided for the ashes of every victim, he added.

These are the basic cremation fees. For special requirements, families must pay, such as for ornate, expensive urns.

He said: "We needed time to adjust our policy since the quake struck suddenly. We welcome public and media scrutiny, which helps us to improve our services," he said. "At the same time, we called for more consideration for funeral workers."

He added: "Due to the heavy casualties, many crematories have to run 24 hours a day and funeral workers worked very hard.

"Thanks to these hardworking people, quake victims can be cremated in a timely way," he said.

The devastating earthquake on May 12 had killed 69,127 nationwide as of Thursday noon and left 373,612 people injured and 17,918 missing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2008)