The issue of death for Chinese migrants in 20th century Singapore : an analysis of migrant deathscapes

Abstract

This paper will examine how the Chinese migrants in 20th century Singapore dealt with death away from home through the creation of deathscapes. Deathscapes embody the society's conception of death and its death culture, proving to be a valuable source of insight into the management of death for the society. The thesis will analyse deathscapes through two case studies: Kwong Wai Shiu Free Hospital and Kwong Wai Shiu Pek San Theng. Through an analysis of such deathscapes, I contend that Chinese migrants’ management of death through deathscapes in 20th century Singapore was a combination of fundamental Chinese conceptions of death in geomancy and ancestor veneration, and a reflection of the complexities of a migrant society.