Old Man Burning Ghost Money Dies after Falling into Fire

[Cover picture: United Daily News]

An 88 year old man who lost his balance and fell into a fire as he was burning ghost money 2 days ago has passed away after his family agreed to remove him from life-support systems yesterday, September 19.

Mr Lin was burning ghost money, also known as “joss paper” or “gold paper,” as an offering to spirits in the lead-up to the closing of the gates of the realm of the dead, which occurs at the end of the 7th lunar month on the Chinese lunar calendar.

The ghost gate, which is open for one month, according to Chinese mythology, closed at midnight September 19.

Mr Lin was at his home in Jinshan on the coast of New Taipei City, September 17, burning ghost money, when he lost his footing and fell into the fire. Family members heard his cries and called emergency services.

Lin was rushed to the Jinshan branch of Taiwan National University Hospital.

Mr Lin suffered 2nd degree burns to 45-50% of his body and injuries due to smoke inhalation. He was transferred to the intensive care unit of Keelung Chang Geng Memorial Hospital.

After it was decided that Lin’s condition had no hope of improvement, his family decided to have the breathing apparatus removed.

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