Literally meaning “clear” and “bright”, Qingming Festival is considered one of the most important Chinese festivals of the year as families commemorate their ancestors and loved ones.
Because of rapid urbanisation, there are now fewer burial grounds in Singapore. Today, most pay respects to their ancestors at the columbarium where the ashes are kept at or at the temple where the memorial tablets are placed. “Tomb-sweeping” has also taken on a different definition in Singapore for those who are cleaning their ancestor’s columbarium niches.
