Pass on tradition to younger generation for posterity – Lo

KUCHING: The Enlightenment Ceremony which is held on the 15th day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar is a Chinese tradition and the practice should be passed down to the younger generation for posterity, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.

He added that by continuing the practice, parents will teach their children to show their filial piety to their deceased ancestors and relatives. It also enhances the bond between family members.

“Some people who don’t have children or close relatives get worried about (not having) Ching Ming and the Enlightenment Ceremony after they pass on. But Nirvana offers the ceremony and prayer services for those without children or descendants every year as well as praying for the deceased. This is good service and peace of mind to clients,” he said at the Nirvana Enlightenment Ceremony at Nirvana Memorial Park in Bau yesterday.

Aside from that, some people also worry about tomb maintenance after they pass on, but Nirvana will also take care of all this as it offers perpetual maintenance of the tombs, Lo said.

“In the past, people are wary to do graveyard visiting during Chinese New Year due to the spooky nature of graveyards, but at Nirvana, the environment is like a park and people will start coming to visit their deceased relatives more often. This is the difference between other cemeteries and Nirvana.”

Nirvana Kuching was established 18 years ago and is the first company in East Malaysia to introduce professional funeral service packages and is the most advanced crematorium in Sarawak, Lo said.

It was also the first to have environmental friendly cremation burial plots and pet cremation compartments in Malaysia, he added.

At the same time, Nirvana also launched its newest columbarium, Shrine 5, dedicated for Christians. There are a total of 672 compartments and each fits two urns. There is also an angel statue at each corner of the area. Prices start from RM11,888.

Nirvana executive director Siaw Chow Jin and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen were also present at the event.

Chong (second left), Siaw (fourth left), Lo (fifth left) and other guests light up huge joss sticks to officiate at the Enlightenment Ceremony yesterday.

Lo (third left) and other invited guests sign their names on a poster during the launching of Shrine 5.

One of the angel statues at Shrine 5.