Online way to honor ancestors
Print Edition
A lack of space for cemeteries in crowded Hong Kong clashes with the Chinese tradition of reverence for one’s ancestors.
But one entrepreneur uses virtual reality software to reconcile the two, allowing people to honor Confucian traditions of filial obligation in the Chinese territory where it can cost up to US$130,000 to store the ashes of loved ones.
Anthony Yau’s firm, iVeneration.com, offers users the ability to create virtual headstones anywhere in an augmented reality landscape of Hong Kong, including such unlikely places as a city park.
The cost savings aside, Yau expects his business model to appeal to young residents who are conscious of the environment.
“The dead are taking so much more space than those who are still alive, as those buried use that piece of land for many years,” he said.
Yau, who hopes to launch the website in the first quarter of next year, has already drawn 300 users.
Filial piety, or respect for parents and older people, is a paramount virtue in the Confucian tradition.
Alex Lee, 46, a technology worker, uses iVeneration to pay his respects to his late grandfather. “Everyone is aware that the lack of land is a problem in Hong Kong, and the government has been encouraging green burial,” said Lee, as he leafed through an album of family photographs.
“For me, you don’t have to go to a thing to remember those passed away. It’s all in your heart.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
