About Song He Yuan

The Song He Yuan is an impressive cemetery of the well known Chinese ‘Moving Dragon Playing with Water’ style. The garden occupies rare feng shui land and is positioned on a westward facing slope, presenting a magnificent landscape.

A focal point within the area is the Di Zhang Wang Temple. With its design drawn from the Tang Dynasty, the temple has been constructed by Chinese artisans using traditional materials. Providing a permanent home for the Di Zhang Wang Buddha, the temple is a place for ancestral worship. It is also the home to over 2,000 Ancestral Tablets.

Guarding the temple are two ‘part lion – part dragon’ Foo Dogs. These mythical creatures sense the intentions of those who approach them and allow only those with good will and kind thoughts within their territory. Sculptures of Amitabah, Dasezi and Guan Yin have been specially imported from China and are also placed within the Song He Yuan.

In recent years there have been significant developments within the Song He Yuan. A striking archway has been constructed at the entrance of the area. Also inspired by the Tang Dynasty, the archway ensures an honoured ‘last arrival’ for the deceased and complements the Di Zhang Wang Temple.

To accommodate traditional family cemetery rituals, a number of pavilions have recently been completed. Each pavilion provides families with a protected gathering area for placing offerings and praying. Water taps are conveniently located within the pavilions and music is also able to be played to benefit the spiritual quality of life.

Carefully chosen to cater for Asian burial and cremation customs, the Song He Yuan offers a range of options to suit all requirements.

Ching Ming Festival Ching Ming is a traditional Chinese Spring festival held in April each year and invites people to remember and honour their ancestors. Ching Ming or ‘grave sweeping day’ brings members of the Chinese community together to pay tribute and express gratitude to their deceased family members.

Grand Offering Ceremonies

On the 16^th of each Chinese calendar month grand offerings are made to the Di Zhang Wang Buddha and the respected deceased.  These ceremonies are conducted by monks from the Yun Yang Temple and are held within the Di Zhang Wang temple at Springvale.  The temple provides a convenient place for ancestral worship when visiting the cemetery.