Xu translated that memory into a horizontal tombstone. Small stones outlined the shape of the island, while the background opened into a wide "sky", decorated with small stones in shades of blue, yellow and white, inspired by The Starry Night created by Vincent van Gogh.

When the woman saw the finished design, she said nothing.

"But I knew she understood," Xu says.

His work has drawn attention beyond families. Ding Shan, a teacher at the School of Art and Design at Wuhan University of Technology, became a client two years ago when Xu designed a shared burial site for his grandfather and father.

"Xu Hang is very approachable. We had detailed discussions about materials, design and dimensions to meet my specific requests," Ding says, adding that what impressed him most was Xu's attitude toward his job — treating it as a delicate act of creation rather than just a way to earn a living.

"The garden-style layout was truly thoughtful," he says. "The tomb sits by a lakeside cherry blossom tree, with cranes and black swans nearby.

"It feels more like a park than a cemetery. Knowing our loved ones rest in such a place brings us a sense of peace," Ding says.

In recent years, Xu has noticed a shift in how people approach memorials. Families are less concerned with scale or formality, and more focused on emotional expression. They want tombstones to reflect the individuality of the person being remembered — places where they can sit, talk, and spend time.

Younger clients, in particular, often bring clear and personal ideas. Some bring sketches; others gather references and images to explain what they have in mind, he says.