華人義山（墓地）向來被視為黑暗與陰森可怕的地方，人們在清明時節去祭拜之外，平時都避之唯恐不及。早期到馬來西亞卻無法返鄉的中國移民，去世之後埋葬在他們的族人建立的義山裡。如今，數以百計的華人義山已經成為馬來西亞的文化景觀之一。華人義山象徵著中華文化的核心概念，也就是「天人合一」的體現。這個概念建立在孝道、風水和義舉三種文化價值上。在實踐的過程中，義山管理層主要以「綠色文化」和「人性化」去規劃義山的景觀，同時以改善義山形象、發展花園式墓園和提升人文特色為目標。

Chinese cemeteries are often viewed as dark and eerie places and are to be avoided except during the Qing Ming prayers. Chinese immigrants to Malaysia but who did not return to China were buried in cemeteries established by their clansmen. The hundreds of Chinese cemeteries are now part of the Malaysian cultural landscape. Culturally the cemeteries symbolize the core Chinese concept of the “unity of heaven and humans”. This concept is manifested through three key cultural values of filial piety, fengshui (geomancy), and yi (righteousness). On the practical level, the management of Chinese cemeteries is nurturing a “green culture” primarily through efforts to “humanize” the cemetery landscape. This objective is being pursued in three ways, namely, changing the image of cemeteries, developing garden-type memorial parks, and increasing the level of human presence.