Families mark Qing Ming at Christian cemetery too

Paying respects: Loved ones gathering to pay homage to their departed kin at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih. (Left) Ong P.K. placing flowers at her husband’s grave at the Western Road Christian cemetery in Jalan Utama, Penang.

GEORGE TOWN: Cemeteries were packed with visitors on the eve of Qing Ming, and the Western Road Christian cemetery in Jalan Utama was no different.

Among the many who went there was businessman Ong Kwong Hooi, who prayed at his great-great-grandmother’s grave with his wife and two daughters.

Although it has been decades since her passing in 1956, Ong said he made it a point to pay his respects during Qing Ming.

“I brought my daughters here like I always do every year because it’s important for the younger generation to know their ancestors and where their ancestors’ graves are.

“I want them to continue with this tradition,’’ he said at the cemetery yesterday.

Health manager Jarvis Tan, in his 40s, was at his father’s grave with his mother, sister and son.

Paying respects: Crowds of loved ones gathering to pay homage to their departed kin at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih.

“We also come here on All Souls Day and on the anniversary of my dad’s passing,” he said.

“Besides praying, we also come here to clean the grave and place flowers.”

Qing Ming can be observed 10 days before and after the actual day, which is today.

Cemeteries in Batu Lanchang, Batu Gantung, Mount Erskine, Thean Teik Estate, Paya Terubong, Teluk Bahang and Sungai Ara were also packed with loved ones who visited graves there bringing offerings of fruits and flowers.

In JOHOR BARU, the Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association cremato­rium was among the many which were packed.

Car workshop owner Ho Kok Wei, 32, who arranged paper items at his great-grandmother’s tomb there, said many families took advantage of the recent school holidays to visit their ancestors.

“My family has been visiting my great-grandmother’s grave for more than 70 years,’’ he added.