The Paper Box Paradox: Preparing for Life's Final Exit in Hong Kong A peculiar phenomenon has emerged in Hong Kong, where a growing number of residents are opting for "living funerals" – a practice that involves friends and family witnessing the person's symbolic death in a paper coffin.
On the surface, this trend may seem morbid or counterintuitive, but it speaks to a deeper issue: Hong Kong's abysmal death literacy.
A 2025 study revealed that Hongkongers lag behind their Singaporean counterparts in understanding and preparing for mortality, scoring a dismal 4. 68 out of 10 on knowledge and preparedness.