Annual Gah San Ceremony

Traditionally most Chinese, and especially the Hakka from Guangdong, take time out from their regular lives to pay respect to their ancestors on Ching Ming Jie, Mandarin for ???,

Due to new COVID-19 regulations this year’s (2021) Gah San ceremony has not yet been decided.

Gah San Ceremony

Honouring your ancestors is one of the main cultural markers and traditions of the Hakka Chinese. The primary obligation to maintain the ancestors’ graves falls to the eldest son, but the whole family should participate. It is an intimate, emotional and personal family affair, but also steeped in tradition.

Gah San Ritual in English

The M.C. calls the gathering together. The ceremony is conducted in Chinese with English translation.

  1. The President of the Chinese Benevolent Association takes his position.
  2. 2nd Officer takes his position.
  3. The President lays the wreath of flowers at the foot of the monument.
  4. He lights the incense, candles and places them at the monument.
  5. Tribute by the President of the CBA.
  6. Offerings of meat, poultry, seafood and fruits.
  7. 2nd Officer pours out 3 servings of tea.
  8. He also pours out 3 servings of spirit wine.
  9. Afterwards, all bow 3 times from the waist, with right fist cupped into left hand, to hon- our the Chinese ancestors laid to rest.
  10. 2nd Officer lights the paper money at the monument.
  11. Then he lights the fire crackers to end the Chinese ritual.
  12. Christian Service follows.

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Gah San from abroad

If you are abroad and cannot attend Gah San to sweep the graves and conduct your own family ceremony in person, the CBA can arrange for it to be done on your behalf, at BOTH the Chinese Cemetery on Waltham Park Road and at Dovecot Memorial Park, St. Catherine.?

Before Gah San we will identify the burial plot, remove weeds, and sweep and paint the grave and tombstone. If any concrete repairs are required?, or a house over the tomb needs painting as well, we will let you know the additional costs involved before we proceed.

On the day of Gah San itself, we will conduct the main ceremony at the Pavilion: with incense, candles, prayers and hymns, offerings of the symbolic 3 types of meat, rice, tea, liquor, and fruits, imitation money, and firecrackers.

Also, we will conduct individual ceremonies at each requested graveside: burn incense and paper money, light candles, leave offerings of fruit and flowers, and volunteers will recite the ritual prayers and bow 3 times. Depending on volume, the ceremonies at Dovecot may be conducted on another day.

Afterwards, we will email you pictures of each grave with the volunteers, and charts and aerial photos so that in the future you can identify your relative’s grave within the Cemetery. We will also send you pictures of the main ceremony held at the Pavillion at the front of the Cemetery.

Please contact us to perform the Gah San ceremony for a relative, don’t forget to include your name and contact details, and as much of the following as possible, for each relative:

      Name (Chinese, English, and maiden names)

      Date of death, and age at the time?

      Section, Row & Plot number (if known)

Please email us with your request, or any questions. Once we have located the grave(s), we will notify you to make payment and send us the payment reference number. 

Details and Symbolism in the Gah San Rite

Traditionally most Chinese, and especially the Hakka from Guangdong, take time out from their regular lives to pay respect to their ancestors on Ching Ming Jie, Mandarin for ???,