Mourners get paid to pay respects

In rural Sichuan, professional grievers still lead families in their tearful goodbyes

Kneeling in front of the body of a 74-year-old woman, Chen Jiying has a microphone in her hand and wails as she tells those gathered around about the hardships the dead woman endured in bringing up five children at a time when Chinese farmers were extremely poor.

Chen's sorrowful words touch the hearts of many among the 14 relatives of the deceased who are kneeling beside her. Most give way to tears.