Chiang Mai Daily Correspondence from a Former Manga Assistant 36: 'Thai Funerals 7'

《 Photo above: Just before the cremation, a purification ritual is performed by the relatives only. 》

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Daily Correspondence 36

The photo below shows the final prayer after the purification ritual using holy water.

The coffin is carried to the crematorium by members of the youth group.

Just before placing it into the crematorium, all attendees offer flowers at the altar in front of the coffin.

The flowers offered are placed on the coffin.

The photo below... the left side is the crematorium, and the right side is the incineration platform for burning the float.

It has just been ignited... since fireworks are prepared, everything will go up in flames at once.

It ignites with a loud bang and a crackling sound. It is quite a loud noise, so it is surprising.

With the loud popping sounds, the sparks running along the fuse, and the beautiful fireworks, if you only looked at that, you would never think it was a funeral.

The float is also burned along with it.

It takes a little while for the fire to catch in the cremation furnace below. With this, the ceremony is completely over, and all that remains is the 'scattering of ashes ceremony' (two days later).

I don't know where my mother flew off to after turning into smoke, but...

I am certain, at least, that she is still flying somewhere on Earth.

Since she will eventually become the molecules that make up the Earth... the universe... I think that's quite something, but...

To put it philosophically...

My mother is no longer anywhere, but at the same time, she is everywhere...

I don't know if I'll be able to reunite with my mother when I die, but...

It seems likely that our molecules will mix together...



By the way...

Just a little side note...

After the cremation, on the truck ride back, four or five mourners, us, and one monk were all riding together (sharing the cargo bed), but when the car arrived at the temple, the monk forgot to get off.

(The following is a loose translation of the Thai)

The young monk (the temple's number two) stands up in surprise...

'Oh, shoot! I have to get off here!'

'Did you forget your own home?'

'You can't be serious, don't forget your own temple!'

'Where was I planning to go!?'
Scratching his shaved head, he jumped off the cargo bed and walked back to the temple grounds laughing.

...I remember how everyone, the monk and the mourners alike, were laughing out loud.

(I was happy that I had material to write about on my blog)

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