Dorothy and her husband Joe choose shirts made of paper for their grandparents who have gone for long time basket at a funeral supply store in New York's Chinatown. Wang Jingshu / China Daily

He also reported that as an increasing number of Chinese marry Westerners, there has been an increase in interest in the holiday in the US.

Pan believes that the holiday will change over time: "I don't think Qingming will fade completely, but maybe it will take on a new meaning," she said. "It happens during spring, so I think that over time it will be more about celebrating life, instead of focusing on death. I believe it will be more positive in the future."

Among the cemeteries that will hold ceremonies in honor of Qingming is Skylawn Memorial Park in the San Francisco Bay Area, which will host performances of traditional lion and folk dances. The cemetery has seen a rapid increase in Chinese funerals and burials during recent years, according to Crystal Tjon, manager and family service counselor at Skylawn.

Another organization that has chosen to focus on spring is the Museum of Chinese in America, which held its second annual Qingming Festival Family Day celebration in New York on April 1. Participants would be able to watch a spring dance performance, learn about the origins of the holiday and make kites in honor of spring.

"Qingming is ultimately about family, paying respect to our ancestors, and also as an awakening for spring," said Karen Lew, education director at MOCA. "And because the day is usually a private experience among families, we're hoping to bring it more into the public sphere."

Source: China Daily

Editor: MetalAllen