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Singapore Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng ( Traditional Chinese: 廣惠肇碧山亭, Simplified Chinese: 广惠肇碧山亭, Jyutping: gwong2 wai6 siu6 bik1 saan1 ting4 ) is a cultural organisation and columbarium based in Bishan, Singapore with beginnings since 1870. Located at Bishan Lane, Peck San Theng presently operates a columbarium, two temples, and ancestral worship services tailoring towards the requirements as well as traditions, customs and beliefs of a cosmopolitan community. It presently belongs to 16 Cantonese and Hakka clan associations.
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History
Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng was originally a cemetery in Singapore that was established in 1870 by Cantonese and Hakka immigrants largely from the three prefectures of Guangzhou, Huizhou and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province, China. Within a century, Peck San Theng (PST) became one of the biggest Chinese cemeteries in Singapore, holding more than 100,000 graves over 384 acres (1.55 km2) of land.
In 1979, the Singapore government decided to acquire all its land to create the present-day Bishan Town. Many graves were exhumed and remains cremated during the 1980s. To enable Peck San Theng to continue with its tradition, the government leased 8 acres (32,000 m2) of land to Peck San Theng for accommodating an office block, a Memorial, two temples and a columbarium. The columbarium houses some 100,000 niches which are available to the public irrespective of race, language and religion since 1980. It was and will continue to be a place for ancestral worship in Singapore.
Present Day
Peck San Theng is currently managed by a federation of sixteen clans of the Cantonese and Hakka communities in Singapore. The 16 Cantonese and Hakka clan associations are:
