A few years ago Chang Cheng-san of Chiayi County in Taiwan was down on his luck. His seafood distribution business, which had been doing well for a while, was now bankrupt, leaving Chang swimming in a pile of debt.
But Chang was never one to surrender tamely to fate. As he was contemplating his next move, Chang happened to hear on the radio the hit song “Every Profession Has Its Winners.”
When he heard the words, “And Uncle Seven is managing a cemetery,” Chang decided right then and there that he too would become a gravekeeper. Today, eight years later, Chang is earning good money, and also doing deeds, by helping both the living and the dead.
He works hard. In summer, he is up at four every morning. After having breakfast with his wife, who is also his business partner, he sets off to groom the graves, often staying until sunset.
Because of his dedication to the job, Chang’s reputation has spread, and business is booming. He takes care of nearly 500 graves, from as far north as Yunlin County to as far south as Tainan City.
Last year, Chang and his wife took in nearly NT$2 million (US$62,000), charging between NT$2,000 and NT$5,000 per grave, depending on the size.
“Most gravekeepers only neaten up their plots twice a year, but I try to go the extra mile by tidying up my graves at least twice a month,” Chang said.
“I water the plants, pull the weeds and generally try to keep things looking great, all so that the relatives of the dead can rest assured that the graves of their loved ones are well taken care of.”
Chang’s philosophy has earned him the trust of many, and as a result his business is blooming. “My goal is to have 1,500 graves under my care,” he said.
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times March 28.)