Can You Be a Professional Crier?

You must be professional and discrete as you are playing a large part of a complete stranger's final send-off. And of course, you must be a superb actor with the ability to cry when needed. Being a professional mourner isn't a full time job. It's generally an on-call job.

Why do Chinese hire professional mourners?

In Chinese customs, professional mourning is believed to come from the usual theatrical performances done during the funeral. Actors and actresses hired by the family depict a certain part of the deceased's life and reenact it so that the guests will know him or her better.

What do mourners do?

A mourner is someone who attends a funeral and mourns for the deceased. Mourning is the act of feeling or expressing sorrow. Mourners at a funeral may have been close friends or family of the person who has died or they may have been affected by the work of the person who has died, without knowing them personally.