Funeral of Tay Koh Yat at Bukit Brown

I am fortunate to get a glimpse of rare photos, this time of a gentlemen who was well loved by the people during his lifetime - Mr. Tay Koh Yat (鄭古悅) (1880-1957), recipient of the Certificate of Honor, Order of the British Empire. This rare photos that i selected for this article were of his funeral procession at Bukit Brown and the photos came to light because it was donated by the family of Tay Soo Choon (one of Tay Koh Yat's son) and made available online via National Library Board (NLB).  For those who are not familiar with Tay Koh Yat, his story is one of rags to riches, eventually becoming the Proprietor of Tay Koh Yat Bus Company. He was also a war hero, a community leader and staunch anti-communist. He was conferred the Order of the British Empire in 1952 for his courage in keeping the bus service in operation despite Communist threats and repeated arsons. Tay Koh Yat passed away at midnight, 29 January 1957 (Chinese New Year eve) at his home at No. 58 Tras Street. He is survived by his wife, seven sons and 3 daughters. On Sunday, 3 February, a huge procession of 100 buses, cars, lorries followed his hearse to Bukit Brown Cemetery.

For this article i will focus first on the funeral and burial procession after it reached Bukit Brown. This photos are indeed rare as it gives a lot of insight into how Bukit Brown Cemetery was like during that period of time. 

The first 3 set of photos i selected are of the chief mourners (Tay Koh Yat's son) arriving at Bukit Brown "roundabout" area with the roofing of the main shelter in the background. I am not unable to identify the names of the mourners, but the 2 policeman were the ones that were guarding the wreath bedecked hearse that made its way from his home at Tras Street to Bukit Brown. Around the funeral portrait of Mr. Tay Koh Yat are his 2 medals which of course includes the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). The last of the 3 photo is of the chief mourner taking a pause at the pebbled path which leads to the Bukit Brown temple. This is likely to pay respects to the Earth Deity first before entering the cemetery. The temple, shelter and roundabout area of course does not exist anymore today. 

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

The next set of photos are the actual location of Tah Koh Yat's tomb where you can see the hearse and the huge traditional chinese coffin of Tay koh Yat being slowly unloaded by the coffin bearers. The procession behind also consist of his family members (in mourning clothing), the police, the musical bands and many others that i do not know at the moment including many onlookers of various races 

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

The final set of photos confirms for me what i guess from the start - that the tomb of Mr. Tay Koh Yat at Hill 5 is a crypt, where there were walls built around the grave for the coffin to go in and is not covered by soil. The photos were also evidence on how crowded the actual funeral and burial site was ! - with many policeman, adults and even children present. What was also clear - many people from different races came to pay respects to Mr. Tay Koh Yat. That was probably the highest honor i can make out from this set of photos. 

Tay Koh Yat funeral at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat burial at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat burial at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

The last 2 photos you can see the tomb keepers sealing the crypt - probably with cement before topping with soil later after it dries up. The final photo is of the mourning family making their way back after Tay Koh Yat was finally put to rest. 

Tay Koh Yat burial at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

Tay Koh Yat burial at Bukit Brown (source: NLB)

[research on-going]