Mama Grandma
Fight on, mama.
But if you go, go in peace.
Since young, my siblings and I called our maternal grandmother, mama.
My mother takes time out from her busy work schedule to bring my maternal grandmother to the hospital for her consultations. I learnt about a mother's love, from my mother, towards her own.
Photographed this back in 2014. It was a reminder to myself about the importance of taking photographs of our loved ones, perhaps earlier.
On several occasions, mama has been hospitalised for observation.
Mama still plays along when my mother asks her to give her a high-five.
On one occasion, mama was not able to eat for close to two days. My mother quickly called the ambulance to rush her to Changi General Hospital's A&E department.
Here my uncle takes out his manual phonebook to contact our immediate family members and inform them of the situation.
Mama's blood pressure
We were told to tell all her family members — even her estranged daughter — to prepare for the worst.
She passed away at 1616hrs on 31 May 2016.
Peacefully.
On the same reception counter where we filled up the hospitalisation form, my mother filled up the details for the death certificate.
My mother talks on the phone with a staff from Singapore Casket, to arrange for mama's body to be transported to their building.
Last Room: The last time we saw mama before they prepared her for the funeral. Looking at someone on a hospital bed, you look out for signs of life — breathing, pulse, etc — but there were none on mama's.
Having taken care of mama for a few years, her domestic helper's future is now undecided. She cried the most, and probably the hardest.
Mama being transported to the mortuary, where staff from Singapore Casket are already waiting.
This will look beautiful on mama.
Mama, wake up to brush your teeth and have the breakfast we bought.
For people who attended the wake to heng heng when they leave. It was also said that you should not be saying goodbye when you leave.
All for mama.
Split family: Despite being before my late grandmother's body, family members continue to bicker.
While attending to the guests at the funeral, we forgot to light the huge joss stick, which we should before the current one burns finish. We made the same mistake twice today.
Sorry mama.
Monks chant during prayer rituals for mama.
Sending mama off on her last ride to the crematorium. We were not allowed to look — often having to bow our heads down — when they lifted the coffin.
Eldest son alive — my uncle.
Welcoming mama to her new home in the urn, which we've placed at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
Sheltering the urn, containing mama's ashes, from the sweltering sun. Mama's urn will continue to be placed at the monastery for 60 years.
On the 7th day of every odd week for 49 days, family members have to pay respect to my late grandmother at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
Buying new clothes and other accessories to burn for mama to use.
Sealed under her name: It is said that only she will be able to open this package.
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.
Paying respect to mama, and inviting her to have her vegetarian meal. We also bought her favourite cup of Kopi-O.
Mama says she is still eating.
Mama is now with my late grandfather, and her two sons — one of whom was my godfather.
My 干爹 passed away suddenly in 2015 when I was doing my internship in Nepal. He used to stay together with mama.
Here they are reunited.
Sor Ah Neo
1923 - 2016
谢谢，mama.