Harper's Weekly Depiction Circa 1881
Chinese and Chinese-Americans have a large variety of funeral traditions
and customs as a result of the various religions and cultures that exist then and now within China. However one of the most universal customs practiced in China (and anywhere Chinese immigrants found themselves) is the tradition of burning offerings and incense at their ancestors graves. (See Picture Above.)
A great fire broke out as a result of lighting in the Alhambra\Martinez Cemetery in 1872 and burned a large number of the wooden markers\gravestones. However the fire was blamed on the Chinese-American community because of their above mentioned traditions and becomes the impetus for many cemetery changes to come. It is a theory the Catholics felt especially upset that their ancestors graves were desecrated by the Chinese and decided to move them across the street officially establishing St Catherine of Siena Cemetery in 1886. (It took them over ten years to excavate and rebury their dead.)
and customs as a result of the various religions and cultures that exist then and now within China. However one of the most universal customs practiced in China (and anywhere Chinese immigrants found themselves) is the tradition of burning offerings and incense at their ancestors graves. (See Picture Above.)
A great fire broke out as a result of lighting in the Alhambra\Martinez Cemetery in 1872 and burned a large number of the wooden markers\gravestones. However the fire was blamed on the Chinese-American community because of their above mentioned traditions and becomes the impetus for many cemetery changes to come. It is a theory the Catholics felt especially upset that their ancestors graves were desecrated by the Chinese and decided to move them across the street officially establishing St Catherine of Siena Cemetery in 1886. (It took them over ten years to excavate and rebury their dead.)