baby cemetery

i attended a funeral of an ex-colleague's baby today and i realized for the first time that there is actually a muslim baby cemetery in singapore. 

the baby cemetery was located at the corner of the muslim cemetery and it was fringed by rows of nice natural tall trees and vegetation. the burial plots were a miniature of a normal adult plot. about half the size, if i am correct. and short of a better adjective, rather cute. as of today, half of the area allocated had been filled. and despite the fact that it was a cemetery, the baby's resting place didn't feel like one. it was, surprisingly, rather cheerful. ok, cheerfully-solemn. there were many colorful decorations, pinwheels and toys placed on most of the graves. and the presence of these colorful objects made the whole place looked rather cheery. yet, by the organized way each plot was position and the presence of tombstones, one was reminded that it was a burial ground after all.

and despite all the "cuteness" and "cheerfully solemn", we were quickly reminded that we were there for something very poignant and very serious once the body arrived. and in no time, the burial service and the burial proper were conducted. during that moments, all colors and toys disappeared from our focus.

picture from http://farm5.staticflickr.com/