Choi Chiu-wing has held funerals for nine elderly people in the 10 years he has been a volunteer. He chose their coffins. He paid tribute at their graves. There was no one else to do it. 'They were alone when they were alive,' said Mr Choi. 'I hope their families will visit their graves some day.' Mr Choi and nine others received Outstanding Elderly Volunteer Awards yesterday from the Hong Kong Society for the Aged. With a humble look and a kind smile, the 62-year-old says he doesn't fear death - a traditional Chinese taboo. As a volunteer for the Banyan Elderly Services Association, he pays home visits to the elderly living alone. Since he retired as an electrician, he has held funerals for elderly people without families. He regards himself as their brother or son just so they can die with dignity. Mr Choi said bodies not identified by any relatives are taken to Sandy Ridge Cemetery, where the epitaphs in the grave area are identified by numbers rather than names. 'I don't want elderly people to be identified by numbers upon their deaths. I hope that they can keep their names and be respected,' he said. Mr Choi remembers one man in particular, whose body was discovered one month after his death. The police discovered Mr Choi's contact number among the old man's belongings and called him. 'The police asked me if I would take his bug-ridden corpse. I said 'yes' right away,' he said. He took the already-decayed body and gave the man a funeral. Mr Choi has five daughters and six grandchildren and says his family is very supportive of what he does. 'They find what I do meaningful,' he said. Not even talking about death bothers Mr Choi. 'I believe people who do good deeds will be rewarded.' Ho Wai-lan, 92, another award winner, has done volunteer work for 23 years because she says it keeps her happy and healthy. Kwok Kai, a 74-year-old retired computer engineer, was also recognised for teaching the elderly how to use computers.