Interviewee: 汤木檀泽(Wang Nan), Social Media Influencer and Funeral Director
Interviewer: Mingwei
Date: November 7, 2024
Interview Method: Contacted via RED (Chinese social media platform) and conducted the interview on WeChat.
Since Tang Mutanze and I are of a similar age, the interview felt more like a friendly conversation. Out of curiosity, I asked her about many behind-the-scenes aspects of her work, which, while unrelated to my project, helped create a comfortable and open atmosphere. This casual exchange allowed us to connect better and facilitated a deeper discussion about the core issues relevant to my research.
Here is some key takeaways of the interview:
–Mingwei: Hello, Wang Nan, thank you for taking the time for this interview. As a young funeral director and social media influencer, your work is quite unique. Do your parents ever feel that this job isn’t “serious” or “respectable” enough?
Tang Mutanze: Thank you for inviting me! Actually, both of my parents work in the funeral industry, so they understand the importance of this field. That said, they initially didn’t want me to follow in their footsteps—they hoped I would choose a different career, maybe one that’s less emotionally demanding. But I guess growing up around them, I was deeply influenced by what they do. I had the chance to see sides of funeral culture that the public rarely notices—the meaningful rituals, the way it helps people process grief, and the quiet beauty in honoring someone’s life. That’s what drew me in and made me want to explore this work more deeply.
–Mingwei: As a funeral director and an active social media influencer, your work is quite unique. You are in your twenties, similar to my age. What inspired you to enter the funeral industry and share your experiences through social media?
Araki Jingwei: My initial motivation for entering the funeral industry came from a personal loss that gave me a deeper understanding of death. I realized many people find death unfamiliar and frightening. I wanted to bridge this gap by helping people find comfort and meaning through their grieving process. Sharing my work on social media started as a way to document my daily life but gradually became a platform to bring the subject of funerals closer to the public and help normalize conversations about death.
–Mingwei: Sharing funeral-related content on social media is indeed very special. Do you think your young age has had any impact on your ability to connect with your audience?
Araki Jingwei: I think being young is an advantage. On one hand, I’m familiar with social media platforms and can use language and formats that resonate with people of my generation. On the other hand, my age makes the topic of death feel less heavy. When they see someone as young as me openly discussing it, they’re more willing to join the conversation.
–Mingwei: Your content covers a wide range of topics, from funeral customs to psychological support and cultural reflections. As a young funeral director, how do you choose your themes?
Araki Jingwei: The themes often come naturally. Many are inspired by questions from my followers. For example, they may ask about the meaning behind traditional practices like burning paper offerings or how to memorialize loved ones in a modern way. I also draw from my professional experiences, sharing real-life cases that highlight how small, heartfelt rituals can help families heal. I aim for my content to be both practical and emotionally meaningful.
–Mingwei: How do you see the balance between traditional funeral customs and modern adaptations, especially when engaging with younger audiences?
Araki Jingwei: I’ve found that young people are not entirely against traditional customs; they just feel that some rituals are overly complex or outdated. They prefer simpler, more meaningful, and personalized expressions. In my work, I try to innovate within traditional frameworks. For example, I incorporate creative elements into ceremonies to make them resonate with younger generations while maintaining respect for the customs.
–Mingwei: Have you noticed any tangible changes in public attitudes toward funerals or death because of your social media presence?
Araki Jingwei: Yes, I’ve noticed a shift. Many people tell me they’ve started to see death as a natural part of life rather than something to fear. Some have even begun discussing end-of-life plans with their families. Others have shared how my content inspired them to commemorate loved ones in more meaningful, personal ways instead of sticking rigidly to tradition. It’s encouraging to see these changes in mindset.
–Mingwei: As both a funeral director and a social media influencer, what are your hopes for the future?
Araki Jingwei: I hope to continue using my platform to raise awareness about the importance of the funeral industry while encouraging open discussions about death. I also hope to inspire more young people to consider working in this field, bringing greater diversity and humanity to the profession.
–Mingwei: You’ve been sharing a lot about your work as a funeral director on social media. What has been the most memorable reaction or feedback you’ve received from your audience?
Tang Mutanze: One comment that stayed with me was from someone who said my content gave them the courage to have their first conversation about death with their family. They mentioned how it opened up a discussion about end-of-life planning, which they had been avoiding for years. It’s moments like these that remind me why I started sharing in the first place—to break down barriers and make it easier for people to confront and discuss death.
–Mingwei: As a young funeral director, do you face any challenges in gaining trust or credibility from clients and your audience?
Tang Mutanze: At the beginning, it was a bit difficult. Some clients questioned if I had enough experience to handle sensitive situations. But I’ve found that being genuine and empathetic helps bridge that gap. Social media has also played a big role in building credibility—by sharing my daily work and showing the thoughtfulness behind what I do, people start to see me as someone who genuinely cares, not just as someone doing a job.
–Mingwei: Your posts often feature personalized funeral rituals or ideas. How do you balance creativity with the practical or traditional aspects of funerals?
Tang Mutanze: It’s all about communication. I spend time talking with families to understand what feels meaningful to them and the deceased. Sometimes that means adapting traditional practices to reflect the deceased’s personality—for instance, incorporating their favorite colors or hobbies into the decor or creating a farewell playlist of their favorite songs. The creativity comes from finding small but meaningful ways to make the ceremony unique, without losing the solemnity or respect the occasion deserves.
–Mingwei: Do you think younger generations are more willing to engage with discussions about death than older ones?
Tang Mutanze: I think younger generations are definitely more open, but it’s also about how the topic is presented. For example, when I share on social media, I use a conversational tone and include relatable anecdotes. It makes death feel less intimidating and more like something that’s simply part of life. Older generations might engage too, but they often prefer more formal or respectful discussions. The key is tailoring the approach to the audience.
–Mingwei: Looking ahead, what changes would you like to see in the funeral industry?
Tang Mutanze: I’d love to see funerals become more inclusive and representative of diverse life experiences. This could mean offering more options for people to design ceremonies that reflect their values, beliefs, and identities. I also hope the industry embraces more digital tools—like virtual memorials or online planning services—to make the process more accessible, especially for people who live far away or have busy lives.
Reflections from the Interviewer:
Talking with Tang Mutanze helped me realize the unique influence young people can have in the funeral industry. She uses social media to share real experiences from her work, presenting funeral culture in a simple and relatable way. As someone of a similar age, her perspective felt close to me and gave me new ideas about how the younger generation is redefining traditions.
She mentioned that more people now want personalized ceremonies, which reflects modern trends where people value emotional expression. Tang’s efforts to design meaningful farewells based on the life stories of the deceased show how traditional practices can adapt to meet contemporary needs while staying warm and personal.
What impressed me most is how she pointed out that young people are more open to discussing death through relaxed and interactive formats instead of avoiding it. This fresh approach makes the topic less heavy and creates space for open dialogue. It reminded me that death doesn’t have to be treated in a purely solemn way—using a softer, more engaging approach can help people find new meanings in it.
Attached is Documentation of interview details in Chinese than I translated into English.
Attached is the Participant Consent Form (SIP):