Once jailed for murder, Cao Yongsheng now makes a living caring for the dead, benefiting from a bold scheme to rehabilitate some of China's most serious criminals as funeral workers. A group known as "Mama Waves You Off to Heaven" offers training and financial support to former prisoners so they can start new careers as undertakers. Cao, who served 17 years behind bars for killing one person and severely injuring two others, says working as a mortician allowed him to "give comfort to the deceased... and atone for my crimes". "It's a kind of spiritual absolution for me," the 56-year-old tells AFP. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES