Holding cremation urns, staff members make their way slowly through Yuhuangling Cemetery in Xuchang, Henan province, during a funeral on March 16. Photos by Niu Shupei and Shen Shaoxin / for China Daily

636 people whose cremains were unclaimed, in some cases for years, received a dignified funeral and burial in Xuchang, Henan province

This was a special funeral.

The deceased did not have the companionship of family members, but many strangers came to say farewell.

On March 16, a grand and solemn funeral was held at Yuhuangling Cemetery in Xuchang, Henan province. It was for 636 departed whose cremains had been kept in the cemetery for up to two decades but had not been claimed by family members.

After the cemetery tried in vain to find family members of the departed, the cemetery organized the burial ceremony to help the deceased rest in peace.

Escorted by cemetery staff members, the cremation urns were buried in a grave surrounded by cypress trees.

Special: Epitaphs of famous people	Memorial ceremony held to honor World War II air force	Students honor martyrs before Qingming Festival