Letter from a cousin who just visited Kuitan, China during the last Cheng Beng.
Dear Family,
Greetings and best wishes to all!
On May 5th this year, some members ofthe Lee clan have conducted this year's Cheng Beng ancestral worship in Kuitan, China. During the visit, we discovered several ancestral tombs, due to their age and exposure to the nature, have become severely damaged. One such is the tomb of the Matriarch Chen, who was laid to rest via a "soft burial" and, to this day, has no proper tomb or headstone.
Out of respect and reverence for our ancestors, and after discussion among the elders and relatives in Kuitan, it has been decided that Three ancestral tombs will undergo restoration. Below are brief introductions of the ancestors, descriptions of the repair work, and the quote provided by the Feng Shui master (contractor):
1) Tomb of Matriarch Chen
Location: Lychee Grove, Western Suburbs of Kuitan Town
According to the local elders, Matriarch Chen hailed from RaoPing, Eastern Guangdong Province, and was married into the Lee Clan in ZhaoCuoLiao, Puning. Due to family mishap, she fled with her two sons and ended up in Kuitan, where she was taken in by the benevolent Zhang couple. Zhang, having no children of his own, adopted one of her sons, and she lived out her final years with the Zhang family. It is said that upon her death, she was given a "soft burial"—no coffin, no tombstone—just a mound of earth in the wilderness, which has mainly been visited only by the Lee family over the years.
Restoration Work: Construct an entirely new tomb.
Materials: Tombstone, sand, cement, bricks, etc.
Work Duration: 4–5 days, 3–4 workers
Quote: RMB 30,000
Date： To be announced.
2) Joint Tomb of Five Ancestors — The Great Ancestor WanGuang + his Wife (Madam Wen) + his Son FuShun (also called MaJian) + his Granddaughter-in-law Madam Zheng + his Great-Grandson XunJin
Location: Lychee Grove, Western Suburbs of Kuitan Town
The five ancestors passed away at different times, and were reinterred together in a joint tomb in 1956 through the “bone collection” practice. Nearly 70 years have passed since then. Due to long-term exposure to the nature, some minor repair work is needed. However, with no clear tomb structure or markings above ground, a footpath has formed above the tomb, frequently trampled by pedestrians and vehicles.
Restoration Work: Refill soil, reshape the tomb, plant grass, and repair the path behind the tomb.
Materials: Two truckloads of soil, lime mortar, etc.
Work Duration: 3–4 days, 2–3 workers
Quote: RMB 12,000
Date: 8 August 2025, 1am-3am
3) Tomb of The Zhang Couple
Location: Lychee Grove, Western Suburbs of Kuitan Town
The Zhang couple were benefactors of the Lee family these days. When Matriarch Chen fled to Kuitan with her two sons, it was the Zhangs who took them in, enabling the continuation of the Lee bloodline. Due to the age of the tomb, lacking care over the years, it is now in poor condition. The tomb has mainly been attended to by descendants of the Lee family. In gratitude for their kindness and support to our ancestors (Matriarch Chen and sons), the tomb will be fully restored.
Restoration Work: Complete renovation and rebuilding of the tomb.
Materials: Tombstone, sand, cement, bricks, stone bed, decorative columns, etc.
Work Duration: 5–6 days, 3–4 workers
Quote: RMB 30,000
Date: To be announced.
The plan for the tomb repairements at our ancestral home has been discussed for years, but not realised for various reasons over the past. This time, we sincerely look forward to your supports (and advice, if any) to put it into action!
Team Leader : Ai Meng
Team Members : Gek Sia, Lu Keat, Ai Kok
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