MANY in the Chinese community intend to pray at home rather than to visit columbariums or cemeteries to pray for their departed ancestors in the upcoming Qing Ming festival.
Unlike last year, the National Unity Ministry has allowed the Chinese community to celebrate Qing Ming festival this year but under strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Only a maximum of six people at any one time can be in attendance at cemeteries for the praying ceremony that can be conducted from 5am to 6pm. All ceremonies are limited to 90 minutes.
For columbariums, only 10 people are allowed at any one time in MCO states, 50 percent capacity with physical distancing for conditional MCO areas, and for recovery MCO areas, the number of visitors will be according to the capacity of the columbarium.
The prayer times are between 5am and 6pm, and the duration is limited to 60 minutes, with sanitisation work lasting 30 minutes in between.
Although the festival falls on April 4, the SOPs will be in place from March 20 to April 18 as it is customary for the Chinese community to observe the festival two weeks before or after the actual date.
The Qing Ming festival is commemorated by the Chinese community by offering prayers and cleaning the graves of their ancestors as a mark of respect for their departed family members.
Buletin Mutiara spoke to some Chinese families for their views on the Qing Ming rituals with strict SOPs, in accordance with the government’s guidelines.
Alex Tan (38, wellness coach)
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the authorities for giving us the green light to proceed with our annual rituals. Although many of us had to conduct the prayer from home last year due to the unprecedented lockdown, I had no qualms or grievances over that as it’s for the sake of everyone’s safety.
“As the Covid-19 cases continue to show an encouraging improvement, the government has allowed businesses and the economic sector to open. Hence, they are now allowing Qing Ming festival to be carried out with strict SOPs.
“As for me, I will pray for my ancestors at home to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. I will continue to stay vigilant to prevent any new clusters from emerging, despite the ongoing vaccination proces. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
“At the same time, I feel that many of the ordinary public do not fully understand or are well-versed with SOPs.”
Chuah Eng Wei (58, retiree)
“The atmosphere for this year’s festival will not be the same compared to previous years due to the pandemic. As usual, everything that we do nowadays need to be in line with strict SOPs.
“As for Qing Ming festival, my family members and I are likely to conduct the annual rituals at our home. This is due to the fact that many of the columbariums will only be open for certain hours.
“On top of that, I think our ‘ancestors will understand’ the current circumstances. No matter where we conduct our prayers, most importantly it’s the sincerity from our inner heart.
“Stay safe everyone as we are not out from the woods yet.”
Teoh Wei Xian (clerical staff)
“I am planning to go to columbarium to pay homage to my ancestors but I need to understand the relevant SOPs beforehand.
“Prior to Covid-19, my family members and I would surely pray to our ancestors at columbarium every year. I was only last year that we started to pray at home. I had a mixed feeling as last year was the first-year anniversary of my father’s death.
“In any case, if the temple decides not to open the columbarium for ancestral worship, I will respect their decision and worship at home.
Hor Poh Choo (hawker)
“It is not clear whether the cemeteries will be open for tomb sweeping. If the situation permits, I would like to be with my siblings together to pray.
“On last year, we began to pray at home due to the lockdown. However, I am okay too if I need to pray at home this year.
“After all, our health and safety comes first.”
Kenny Lim (Kong Fatt Trading goods store in Carnarvon Street)
“Honestly, people’s spending power on prayer items has drastically taken a huge dip compared to other businesses.
“With the Qing Ming festival coming soon, there will still be demand for these items but they will not be as popular as previous years.
“The crowd going to columbariums and cemeteries is likely to be smaller this year due to interstate ban so far.”
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan