Qing Ming - In remembrance of our dearest oldest paternal aunt

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Qing Ming (same day as Easter Sunday in 2026) has always been more than a date on the calendar. It’s a season of remembering and honouring the people who shaped the paths we now walk. The name translated “Clear and Bright” reflects not only the spring weather, but also the clarity of heart that comes with remembrance.

For our family, that spirit lived in the way our young father and relatives made their annual journey to Bukit Brown Cemetery to honour his late sister, who passed at just 28 from sudden tubercolosis in 1952. Tomb‑sweeping, cleaning, prayers and offerings with quiet moments of reflection were the rhythm of those visits.

These photos capture one of those pilgrimages, circa 1953—a small window into how love and remembrance were expressed in those days.

And this post is also a shoutout to the Brownies — the dedicated and tireless advocates for the conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Week after week, these passionate volunteers lead visitors through the cemetery’s winding paths, bringing to life cherished memories and the precious stories of those who might otherwise be known only as names on weathered tombstones. Their work keeps history breathing and that it continues to speak to us even today. Visit their FB page at ‘Heritage Singapore – Bukit Brown Cemetery”




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