Burning stuff and making feasts for the dead are for bringing good luck in the coming New Year. SIL has some Chinese in her extended family. They burn all sorts of fake goods and money and gold to celebrate their dead ancestors. Lots of foods prepared for the hungry departed too.
As well as feasts for the dead ancestors. With whiskey and beer and vast amounts of foods. Brings good luck I am told. We will see in this coming Year of the Dragon. Even offered Oriental Flathead Lobsters. LOL
Relatives pop in all day and night long and eat their fill. Supposedly they will gather at midnight as well and feast on the "leftovers". I told them I'll skip the midnight feasting. LOL