Mock funerals held in Thailand to ‘remember death’, restore fortunes
- Participants pay US$3.30 for the flowers, candles, and clothing that are part of the ceremony, which involves lying down in a coffin
- The ceremonies are held at temples across Thailand and aim to ‘remind people that one day we will die’, a monk said
In a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok, participants at a daily ritual clutch a bunch of flowers and lie down in a coffin with a sheet pulled over them as monks chant.
The Wat Bangna Nai temple in the Thai capital draws more than 100 people a day who choose to perform the ceremony in the hope it can improve their fortunes or give them a fresh start.
And for some at least, the pressures of life during the pandemic have made the ritual take on more importance.
“I have to admit that I’m stressed these days because I am earning less income because of the pandemic and I’m sure everyone here is feeling the same,” said Nutsarang Sihard, a 52-year-old food stall owner, who took part in the ceremony.
Participants pay 100 baht (US$3.30) for the flowers, candles, and clothing that are part of the ceremony.
They follow the instructions of the monks, by at first lying in a coffin with their heads facing to the west, the direction bodies may be buried, before switching sides to symbolise rebirth.