A technician performs digital modeling. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 3D printing service was launched in early April, the annual tomb-sweeping period for Chinese people to pay their tribute to deceased family and friends.

Quite a few people who died in traffic accidents, fire, falls or mining mishaps were not fit for farewell ceremonies due to damaged faces or serious deformation, which aggravated the grief of their families and friends, according to the funeral parlor, which handles approximately 35,000 bodies every year, about 30 of which need restoration.

Yu said most of the restorations were on faces. "Though not large in number, every successful operation brought utmost respect to the deceased and great comfort to their relatives."