culture goes online - qingming tradition fading away?

How we pay respects to our elders might be redefined within a generation as more people are questioning the importance of having a physical manifestation of their ancestors.

Sea burials and going online for Qingming have emerged as viable alternatives to the tradition. Like Gaw, many Singaporeans of his generation prefer to scatter their ashes into the sea, rather than going through the hassle of buying a niche.

Retiree Ang Lay Cheu is one of them. The 58-year-old visits his parents’ niche at Bright Hill every year during Qingming, but said he would choose a sea burial for himself.

“Personally I would prefer a sea burial, and our grandchildren will just face the sky and pay their respects, instead of having to travel to a specific place every year. It’s more convenient for them,” he said.

In other Asian countries like Malaysia, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, many are abandoning traditional Qingming practices and using online memorial websites to make offerings to their ancestors.

These online memorials allow users to share photos, leave tributes and write condolence messages. They can also purchase virtual offerings such as candles and flowers.

The practice is still nascent in Singapore as only a minority has jumped onto the bandwagon, using sites like HeavenAddress and GoneTooSoon to make online tributes.

However, the alternative has its appeal to young, internet-savvy Singaporeans. Said 20-year-old Chew Si Pei: “Online memorials are definitely useful because young people nowadays are so connected to the Internet world. It certainly saves a lot of hassle.”

A tradition under threat

The rising prices of niches, issues with land leases and the belief that the younger generation might not continue the tradition are cited as top concerns for Gen X Singaporeans.

Soaring prices for increasingly scarce niche lots is another big concern for the Gen X. Due to land scarcity in Singapore, the price of niches has shot up over the years, with the most expensive single spaces in private columbariums going for a whooping $10,000.

Niches which can house the ashes of up to 24 family members in Nirvana Memorial Garden are priced at $200,000. Single niches can cost from $3,800 to $10,000, depending on its location.

Similarly, prices for Bright Hill columbarium start at $3,800 for a basic niche, and can hit up to $15,000 according to the desirability of its location.