Hunan man raises medical fees for father by holding his funeral

A man lays out funeral offerings and incense for his father to raise money for his medical fees in Wuhan
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A man in China has been raising money for his father's medical expenses by holding two funeral ceremonies for him, in which the living father even took part, reports the Guangzhou-based Yangcheng Evening News.

The man, surnamed He, held ceremonies in Wuhan, Hubei province, and Changsha in Hunan in mid-July. He placed sacrifices in front of his father, wore mourning clothes and kowtowed to his father with incense. There was also a poster saying his father was a good father who had contributed much to Hunan's development.

He's father previously had a job in construction, but lost it — and his right to a pension — due to a mistake made by his employer in 2001. The family now cannot afford his medical expenses, giving He the idea to hold the ceremonies.

The fundraiser, however, has drawn negative criticism on the internet. Some netizens say He's behavior takes advantage of his father and of people's kindness, others say it will bring the father bad luck. The son said he saw the funeral as his last resort.