To properly equip their loved ones in the after life, the Chinese people burn paper effigies of pretty much all modern day conveniences: cars, houses, and of course money.
To keep up with the times, they're also making paper effigies of videogame systems and gadgets.
“Sometimes their stories are heart-wrenching and sometimes I’m numb to them. I try not to pry,” says Au Yeung. “Making paper effigies of trend items makes death seem less frightening.” His most popular requests are for cameras, video games and brand-name handbags — the things that Hong Kong kids desire while living.
Each of Au Yeung’s unique creations take many hours to research and complete. Once sold, customers take them to gravesites and burn them to ashes in a matter of seconds. Au Yeung says his own special goodbye to each effigy by taking photos of them. “I have to remind myself that they are meant for people in the underworld to use,” he says.