Events

Ching Ming Festival: Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, 2009, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Chinese community observes two remembrance festivals of the dead every year. The first is Ching Ming also known as Grave-sweeping or Spring Remembrance. Chinese families show their respect by visiting the graves of their ancestors to clear away weeds, clean gravestone inscriptions, make offerings of wine and fruit, and burn paper offerings. It is an important time for the family members to gather together to pay respect to the deceased members of their families. Cypress Lawn hosts a complimentary light lunch for all families who visit their ancestors during Ching Ming observance. Buddhist nuns are invited for the general blessing and chanting for the graves at specific times.

3rd Annual Arbor Day Celebration: Saturday, April 25, 2009, 1:30 pm – 4 p.m.

This is the second year that Cypress Lawn is observing Arbor Day. Activities for this event includes a brief introduction on the historical development of Cypress Lawn’s arboretum, a walking horticultural tour, and tree planting at the end of the tour.

Memorial Day Program: Monday, May 25, 2009, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Every year Cypress Lawn pays tribute to all veterans for their service in defense of the freedom that we are all enjoying. All families and friends of veterans and the general public are welcome to join us in a moving memorial service for our fallen heroes. Light refreshments served.

Chung Yeung Festival: Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2009, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Chung Yeung is the other remembrance festival of the dead observed by the Chinese community every year. Also known as Autumn Remembrance, this festival is similar to Ching Ming in the spring, in that families journey to the graves of their ancestors to perform cleansing rites and pay their respects to their ancestors. Cypress Lawn hosts a complimentary light lunch for all families who visit their ancestors during Ching Ming observance. Buddhist nuns are invited for the general blessing and chanting for the graves at specific times.

Holiday Remembrance Service: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

This is the third year that Cypress Lawn is holding this event which honors and pays tribute to those who have been buried at Cypress Lawn in the past year. Families who have lost a loved one for the past year and had chosen Cypress Lawn as their loved one’s final resting place are invited for this vigil service. Light refreshments served.

For further information on any of the events mentioned above, please call 650.755-0580.

E-mail us: info@cypresslawn.com