Perpetual Memorial Park will be hosting its Yulan Festival 2024 at three branches in Ipoh, Kulai and Ulu Choh.
THE Hungry Ghost Festival month will see Taoists and Buddhists express filial piety in what is known as an enlightenment ceremony.
This annual affair allows people to perform rituals that they believe will assist their late loved ones gain spiritual enlightenment in the afterlife.
Perpetual Memorial Park chief operating officer Tommy Chieng said the ceremony preserved traditions that came from 5,000 years of Chinese history.
“It is believed that spirits roam the mortal world during the seventh lunar month in the Chinese calendar.
During the two-day Yulan Festival, one day each has been set aside for Taoists and Buddhists, with three sessions of prayer and chanting to be held daily.
“At the same time, these roaming spirits seek to gain merits to move from one dimension to another,” he said.
Performing these rituals, added Chieng, was a way for the living to guide departed loved ones towards peace.
This year, the memorial park will continue its tradition by inviting local Taoist masters and Buddhist monks to carry out sacred rituals as part of its Yulan Festival 2024.
The festival will be held at three of its parks.
In Ipoh, Perak, it will take place on Aug 17-18 while in Johor, the festival will be held in Kulai and Ulu Choh on Aug 10-11 and Aug 25, respectively.
This year also marks 30 years since Perpetual Memorial Park began as a provider of affordable bereavement services.
To celebrate both the festival and anniversary, customers in the southern region who purchase land or selected urn products will receive rebates worth RM888 or RM1,688.
In the Kulai branch, Garden Urn Compartments (GUCs) are now available for purchase from RM22,888 before rebates.
This service combines cremation and burial practices which match ancient beliefs that souls can find peace only within the earth.
It also resonates with elders who wish to impart auspiciousness to their descendants.
The Ulu Choh branch has launched floral-themed urn compartments, from RM3,938.
Evoking elegance and purity, champagne gold and lily motifs decorate urn plates in this option.
Perpetual Memorial Park Ipoh has also unveiled its new urn compartments called Pu Ti Ge.
Priced from RM4,473, each compartment door panel is adorned with a sculpture of Guan Yin, symbolising compassion and blessings.
Chieng said that the memorial park catered to Taoists as well as Buddhists.
He said Taoist beliefs were more about following tradition passed down from ancestors.
Buddhism, he added, was more about knowledge and state of mind for both the living, and the deceased.
The two-day festival at all three memorial park outlets will be divided into a day each for Taoists and Buddhists.
“There will be three sessions of prayer and chanting for each group on the stipulated day,” Chieng said.
“The ceremonies for both days will start at 9am and end at 3pm.”
Ceremony reservations are open until July 15.
For details, visit the page www.facebook.com/PerpetualMemorialParkBerhad
