HONG KONG: When Catherine Chong Shiu-yin opened her closet, she felt an odd anxiety about what she should wear today. Suddenly she felt awash in anguish as memories of her sister Kitty overwhelmed her thoughts. Kitty was her fashion designer as well as her sister.

Kitty died last August. She was killed by a collapsed tree in Stanley.

Catherine had learned to deal with her sister's death. After a while her grief passed.

Many people who lose loved ones never learn to deal with their grief.

"They are not aware of the importance of dealing with their sorrow and use unhealthy methods to release their emotions, such as hurting themselves physically," said Cecilia Chan Lai-wan, director of Centre on Behavioral Health of the University of Hong Kong.

Sensing the need and the lack of facilities for helping the bereaved, the center set up Hong Kong's first online platform, tailor-made for the public to learn about death and bereavement in a positive way.

The website provides information for people to learn how to prepare for the death of a loved one and how they can cope afterward.

The site also provides details about funeral and cremation services. Online users can find a space where they may record their last will.

In another place on the website, they can record their life's history in order to achieve a deeper appreciation for the meaning of life.

Meanwhile, bereaved persons can acquire essential knowledge to recognize and handle their reactions. There are also resources for those who want to help bereaved friends.

Chan said it is vital for this vulnerable group to adapt to grief positively. About two-thirds of bereaved people will experience tremendously labile moods during the first two years after they lose beloved ones.

"In particular, males and youths are the most reluctant to seek help as they mistakenly assume that this represents their failure. Since they are frequent Internet users, we want to offer help to them through the online platform," Chan added.

More than a year since her sister's death, Chong recalls that she seemed to have cried almost 24 hours a day for the first two weeks after the accident.

During special days over the past year such as on Chinese New Year and Kitty's birthday, Catherine and her family traveled to help ease the pain.

"I have become calm now. Sometimes it is sad to remember the incident, but as long as we accept this as normal, we can continue our life," Chong said.

Chong reckoned that people of all ages have the need of life and death education and the online platform can serve the purpose.

"If we have death preparation and knowledge, our fear will be alleviated when we encounter it (death)," she added.

The English version of the website will be launched by the end of this year. Users will be able to visit the city's first virtual cemetery and read comics about life and death.

(HK Edition 09/26/2009 page1)