【Hong Fuk Yuen Fire Level 5】Victims' 'Seventh Day' – Paper Offering Shop Owner: Hope the Living Can Move On from the Shadow

December 2 marks the seventh day after the Hong Fuk Yuen fire, known as the 'seventh day' for the victims. Many memorial rituals are being held across Hong Kong, including at the Kowloon Funeral Parlour, where the halls have been opened for public mourning.

On this day, Buddhist and Taoist masters will recite scriptures at Kowloon Funeral Parlour.

As of 4 p.m. on December 1, the fire at Tai Po's Hong Fuk Yuen on November 26 has resulted in 151 deaths.

According to a Ta Kung Wen Wei Media report, on the eve of the 'seventh day', reporters visited several joss paper shops in the area. Many shop owners expressed their hopes that residents would embrace their pain, live well, and that Hong Kong society would move forward.

Ms. Yan, owner of the paper offering shop 'Zhen Cheng Religious Supplies', explained to reporters that different paper offerings represent different hopes. For example, lotus flowers symbolize cleansing disasters and troubles for the departed souls, relief from illness, and ascending to pure lands for eternal peace; gold and silver ingots and 'Xi Qian' are for the deceased to have money in the afterlife; joss paper clothes ensure the departed have clothing to wear.

Ms. Yan revealed that on the seventh day, she would also bring offerings to burn near the site of the fire, hoping that the affected families can move out from the shadows as soon as possible and rebuild their homes.

Mr. Qiang, responsible for 'You Li Hao', told reporters, "Today a lady told me her elder brother and sister-in-law still have no news to this day." They are preparing for the worst, having bought a small amount of offerings to pay their respects by the roadside near the fire site tomorrow.

Mr. Qiang explained that traditionally the seventh day is seen as a crucial moment for the soul, moving into another realm; at this time, they most need food, clothing, and 'emergency funds'. Otherwise, they may feel cold and hungry, even wander around searching for money and be unable to leave peacefully.

Mr. Qiang emphasized that those who have passed are already gone; the most important thing now is to look forward, and families should not be forever stuck in grief but keep moving ahead. Doing more good deeds, chanting scriptures, and holding vegetarian services to transfer the merit to the deceased will allow them to truly find relief from suffering and attain happiness.