The Chinese believe that a ancestor money | joss paper offering is conveyed into the spirit world. In today's modern world, caring for ancestors in the afterlife is a poignant way to pay respect for one's elders and departed family members.

In traditional Chinese beliefs, The hell is thought to be where the souls of the dead are first judged by the Lord of the Earthly Court . After being judged they are either escorted to heaven or sent into the maze of underground levels and chambers to atone for their sins. People believe that even in the earthy court, spirits need to use money.The ancestors will get the money after it is burned.

Using rituals like burning ancestor money, the family helps to transform the poor ancestor spirit into a rich ancestor. In turn, the ancestor provides good luck to the family and descendants.