99% Invisible Life and Death in Singapore
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Jun 25, 2019 
Katie Thornton, a Fulbright National Geographic fellow, dives into Singapore's complex relationship with death and memory. She discusses the rapid urbanization that transformed graveyards into bustling residential areas, revealing the emotional struggles faced by communities as they adapt to change. Thornton highlights the evolving cultural attitudes towards burial practices, including a shift from traditional burials to cremation. With personal narratives, she brings to light how these transitions shape Singapore's identity and the delicate balance between progress and preserving cultural heritage.
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Life and Death in Pek San Theng
- In Singapore, land scarcity led to apartments being built atop former graveyards.
- One such graveyard, Pek San Theng, was a sprawling 324-acre site with elaborate tombs, some exceeding 30 meters in width.
A Village Among the Tombs
- Pek San Theng wasn't just a cemetery; it was a lively village with 2,000 residents.
- It had its own clinic, shops, a coffee shop, a dim sum eatery, a soy sauce factory, and even an open-air movie theater.
Growing Up in a Cemetery
- Mr. Lee, who grew up in Pek San Theng village, recalls a normal childhood playing among the tombstones.
- Despite the commonplace setting, ghost stories about water ghosts and stone lions coming alive at night permeated the village.