Chinese people use this traditional holiday to give thanks to their ancestors, to cherish the memory of departed relatives, to cultivate filial piety, and to reconnect with family members.
Lastly, xiao, or filial piety, underscores the importance of respecting and honoring one's parents and ancestors, as well as maintaining loyalty to one's family.
The reason for this partly is that under China's traditional Confucian concept of filial piety, children have been obligated to take care of their aged parents.
During the Han Dynasty lavish burials were fashionable, which was closely linked to the social advocacy of filial piety for seniors and prevailing views on life and death.