Chinese New Year is a season of reunion. For many families, remembering those who are no longer at the table is part of the celebration too. At Nirvana Memorial Garden, the new year is both a joyful gathering and a time to honour those who came before.
Remembering Ancestors at Chinese New Year
Before the festivities begin, many Chinese families first pay their respects to their ancestors, inviting the blessing of elders into the year ahead. A visit to the columbarium in the days before the new year is a quiet, grounding way to begin the season.
The 大团拜 Reunion Gathering
Each Chinese New Year, Nirvana Memorial Garden hosts a communal 大团拜 gathering, where families come together for blessings and festive cheer to welcome the new year. It is a gathering that draws the community close and carries forward the Chinese value of reunion.
Lion Dance and Festive Blessings
A lively lion dance, auspicious greetings, and blessing rites usher in good fortune for the year. Amid the drums and cymbals, families share their hopes for peace and prosperity in a joyful atmosphere.
Bringing Family Together
Nothing is more precious at new year than three generations gathered together. At Nirvana, elders and the young spend the festival side by side, helping children quietly come to understand filial piety and the meaning of family heritage.
Paying Respects at the Start of the Year
Lighting incense, offering flowers, and laying out offerings at the start of the year is a gesture of gratitude and of not forgetting one's roots. Many families see it as one of the most important observances of the year, praying for their ancestors' blessing and the family's wellbeing.
Carrying Traditions to the Next Generation
The most moving thing about Chinese New Year is how tradition passes quietly down the generations. When children follow their elders in offering incense, bowing, and listening to the stories of those who came before, what they remember is not only the ritual but where the family comes from and its warmth. At Nirvana, the new year gathering lets the youngest experience this culture first-hand — from an auspicious greeting to a bow before an ancestor. These seemingly ordinary moments often become a child's most treasured memories, and let the spirit of filial piety and gratitude carry on amid the celebration.
Common Questions About Visiting at Chinese New Year
When is the best time to visit before the new year?
Most families come within the ten days before the reunion dinner, with the weekend before Chinese New Year's Eve being the busiest. For a calmer visit, choose a weekday morning earlier in that fortnight — the memorial halls stay open through the festive period itself.
Is the columbarium open during the new year holidays?
Yes. Nirvana Memorial Garden welcomes families through the opening days of the lunar new year. Many people call on their ancestors before visiting relatives, so do allow extra time for parking on the first and second days.
What do families usually bring?
New-year offerings tend to be festive: mandarin oranges, new-year cakes, sweets, flowers, and the foods a loved one enjoyed. Some families also renew the flowers at the family's ancestral tablet before the reunion dinner.
Can we arrange a blessing for the family in the new year?
Yes. Blessing rites for the living and merit dedications for ancestors can be led by our resident masters — see our prayer services — and are especially sought after in the opening weeks of the year.
Join Us
The dates for the 大团拜 gathering are announced closer to Chinese New Year. If you would like this year's event details, or to arrange a visit or observance during the new year, reach us on WhatsApp at +65 8999 7708.