Chia Hood Theam and Madam Yan Lan Neo tombstone

The below is a close-up of an entry from the notebook of Mr. Chia Keng Tye (son of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam) dated 15 June 1931. The entry that perk my interest was the one i highlighted: 

15.6.31       2 Graves completed at Bukit 
                Brown for C.H.T. & Y.L.N
 Wee Geok $1050.

Entry from Notebook of Chia Keng Tye
(source: Down Memory Lane by Noreen Chan)

A number of things come to mind that i could possibly decipher from the entry. 

The tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam were constructed before their deaths.

Chia Hood Theam  (C.H.T) passed away in 10 July 1938 while his wife Madam Yeo Lan Neo (Y.L.N) passed away on 21 July 1949. This entry was dated 1931. This means that the plot was purchased in advanced (probably via reservation) and tomb was constructed way before the death of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam. 

Construction cost and tomb mason

The second nugget which i suspect is that their tomb was constructed by Wee Geok at the cost of $1,050. Unfortunately i can't be 100% sure and also unable to find more about Wee Geok tomb mason if my speculation is correct.

However, it is very likely that the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam was built before their passing and this explains why that at the funeral of Chia Hood Theam, his tomb and wife's tomb were already constructed.

Funeral and wreaths at Chia Hood Theam's tomb in 1938. 

Offerings for Mr. and Mrs. Chia Hood Theam in 2024
(photo courtesy of Pam Tan)

Finally, i asked Gemini to give me an estimate of how much $1,050 would be equivalent to in 2026 context. 

Year	Nominal Amount	Equivalent Value Today (Estimated)
1931	$1,050 (Straits Dollars)	—
2026	—	~$45,000 to $55,000 SGD