Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching marks 25 years with Olympic-themed celebration

KUCHING (July 21): Nirvana Memorial Park (Kuching) Bhd has hosted its silver jubilee celebration dinner on Saturday night, as its business model is evolving to meet the demands for bereavement services integrated with technology.

The Olympic-themed 25th-anniversary celebration took place at a local hotel here, featuring lucky draws, entertainment activities, and recognition for long-serving staff members and top-performing agents in 2023.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who was the guest-of-honour at the event, said Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching has consistently been the leading bereavement service provider in Sarawak, offering highly regarded and professional service to the society.

“I believe it was sheer determination and devotion for the past decades that have allowed Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching to achieve its success and standing today, promoting inclusivity and people-centred services to the community,” said Dr Sim in his speech.

Dr Sim highlighted that Sarawak is on track to become an aging society by 2027, making the state the first in the country to reach this status.

Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching executive director Siaw Chow Jin said the bereavement service provider, which has reached a new milestone with the celebration of its 25th anniversary, has weathered various storms over the years.

“For the past years, our business model has undergone significant transformation from the traditional ways of doing things to a new model characterised by advanced technology to adapt to the latest market demands,” said Chow Jin in his opening remarks.

He raised the possibility that artificial intelligence (AI) could even one day be integrated into bereavement services, enabling family members to ‘reconnect’ with the deceased during the final journey of life.

With the improving living standards nowadays, Chow Jin observed public perception towards bereavement services has also shifted from being conservative to more receptive and open-minded, with many now seeking a personalised funeral service.

He said Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching has attained a historical achievement last year with over half of the sales being for cremation service, since such service was made available in 2009.

Meanwhile , for the best performing agent awards for 2023, Justine Kueh Hui Fung was named champion under the top new service advisor category.

For the top service advisor category, Cindy Chung Chin Yee was named the champion, Staphanie Lai Hui Woon (first runner-up), Chai Chui Boon (second runner-up), while awards of excellence were given to Yeo Hai Wui, Vivian Chai Chee Chee, Voon Kueh Fah and Peter Kueh Ah Lay.

Under the top service director category, Chung Joon Swiee was awarded champion, Crystal Lai Siaw Voon (first runner-up), Yik Vui Tak (second runner-up), and Tan Suk Kiang received awards of excellence.

Chung Joon Sin won the top pre-district service director category, while Hazel Lai and Mary Tan Siew Khiok were the first and second runners-up respectively.

Chung Miang Poh was named champion for the top district service director category and Amy Low Suk Fong was the first runner-up.

As part of the silver jubilee celebration, Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching has donated RM5,000 to Sarawak Society for the Deaf and Persatuan Perkhidmatan Komuniti Pekak Sarawak, respectively, as well as RM13,433.77 to Kuching Xuan Musical and Dance Association to support their activities.

Among those present were Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching managing director and founder Anna Wong, general manager Siaw Khoi Nam, the Federation of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Dato Richard Wee and Sarawak Hun Nam Siang Tng chairman Tay Boon Sin.