[mashabox]

sorry for the "downbeat" topic request BUT since it is an everyday happening, I would like to know all about this subject after witnessing so many proceesions and occurances in the streets of Bangkok: A monk accompanying a white coffin from a home to a van, the ceremonies in the Wats and the "pick-up" van used to convey a deceased from the street to ?

[euylvaygdq]

From what I could gather, the highest ranking person or persons (highest social status) present start the fire. I also forgot to mention that people pour water coconut on the body before it is put on the pyre.

[euylvaygdq]

Quote[/b] ]...and the "pick-up" van used to convey a deceased from the street to...

Probably to the funeral pyre for cremation. I have never seen a fancy Bangkok funeral, only a local Issan one, but that would be my best guess. Did you happen to hear fireworks? At my father-in-law's funeral people set off fireworks to keep bad spirits away at the cremation.

[entaifsfets]

fireworks? Pretty much how its in my place, except I never realised it was for scaring away spirits. Do some people celeberate too? Especially when someone is old?

Is it determined as to who lights the fire during cremation. A particular relative?

[Indian Butt Magic]

When I was in Thailand last time, a friend of mine showed, me pictures of his mothers funeral, well most of the photo's were of his dead mother and what I would describe as lying in state.
I thought taking photo's like this would be considered unusual in the west.