While in China, discussing death is still considered a bad omen, a company from the capital Beijing is trying to change this thinking. This company named Greatroom Burial Garments is giving a modern and practical look to the traditional funeral rituals.

In this company, paper models of luxury goods like Prada bag, Rolex watch, Mercedes Benz car, Wagyu beef roll and Oolong tea are made. It is believed that these symbolic objects are burnt during the funeral, so that the deceased can use them in the afterlife.

Instead of being afraid of death, it is important to understand it – Founder Gao Gucci

Company founder Gao Guchi says that according to the beliefs of Taoism, thinking or talking about death is considered inauspicious. For this reason, when there is a death in a family, people are not mentally prepared and take decisions in confusion and fear. Gao believes that instead of associating funerals with fear and superstition, it should be approached with respect, understanding and preparation. His effort is to make people accept death as a natural part of life and be mentally prepared for it.

Paper Mercedes Benz Best Selling Item

Searching for burnt offerings on Taobao, China’s biggest e-commerce platform, brings up paper-made Gucci bags, Apple products, Rolex watches and Mercedes-Benz cars. Among these, the most sought after paper Mercedes Benz car is priced at around 15 Yuan (approximately ₹ 194). This item has become a unique combination of modern aspirations and traditional beliefs.

Allegations of ‘corruption’ in government control and funeral

Funeral services in China are under government control. Gao alleges that the traditional system contains many confusing practices, such as dressing the deceased in an odd number of clothes and scattering coins at every intersection. He says that many funeral operators use fear to make families buy expensive items, due to which the bereaved people are also financially exploited. In such an environment, luxury goods made of paper provide people with a respectable, cheap and symbolic alternative.

Also read: ‘Venezuela is not under the control of any external power’, interim President Delsey Rodriguez got angry amid Trump’s warning