Wong Family Traditions

Chinese Memorial Day occurs on the 104th day after the Winter equinox, generally around April 4. On the Sunday before April 4, our family collects to make offerings to our Ancestors.

On the day of the event, we meet in Chinatown in the morning and go first to Mt. Hope and then to Forest Hills. At each grave, we plant some flowers, light incense and candles, and offer food. We bow three times, pour the wine, refill the glasses, burn money, bow three times again, and then eat some of the food. After the observances, we usually all have lunch together.

Food offerings
Chicken
Roast Pork
Two boiled eggs cut into halves
White rice cakes
Yellow rick cakes
Three bowls of rice
Three cups of wine

Specifically, we visit our great grandfather at the Mt. Hope Cemetery and our grandparents at the Forest Hills Cemetery.

Directions to Great Grandfather’s Grave:
Enter the main gate.
Take the leftish straight road into the cemetery.
Drive until your reach the fork.
Take the left fork.
Drive to the fence.
Take a Right.
The grave is a couple “blocks” down on the right.

Directions to Grandparents’ and Parents’ Graves:
Enter the main gate.
Take a left and drive until you’re in the Chinese section of the Cemetery.