Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: educator who removes death’s stigma through culture
Joseph Lau Yui-yip has taken students to cemeteries, funeral parlours and heritage exhibitions because he believes some parts of Hong Kong culture are best understood outside the classroom. Lau heads the student affairs department of Polytechnic University’s college of professional and continuing education and has spent years researching subjects ranging from funeral customs to a little-known…
Joseph Lau Yui-yip, an educator at Polytechnic University's college of professional and continuing education, has been awarded finalist status in the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards for his work removing the stigma surrounding death through cultural immersion. Lau takes students to cemeteries, funeral parlours, and heritage exhibitions, believing these experiences provide the best understanding of Hong Kong's culture.
His research has covered funeral customs, the Hakka animal dance, and the intangible cultural heritage list. Lau organized life-and-death exhibitions and contributed to a song and music video about death, which helped change misconceptions about scattering ashes. He believes that discussing end-of-life plans with families before a death can alleviate their burden.
Lau's cultural research also led to the rediscovery and promotion of the Hakka pixiu dance, which he teaches through workshops and exhibitions. In 2025, Lau received the Outstanding Senior Alumni Award from PolyU's department of logistics and maritime studies.
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