#omakkaphan

If you are unfamiliar with Thai funerals like myself here is some information for you based on what’s provided by the funeral invitation by #omakkaphan’s family

In Buddhist funeral traditions, the “bathing ceremony” and “Abhidhamma chanting” are important rituals:

1. Bathing Ceremony (พิธีรดน้ำศพ): This ritual is a symbolic act of purification for the deceased. Family members, friends, and attendees pour water over the hands of the deceased as a final gesture of respect and farewell. It serves as a way to show love, pay respects, and say goodbye to the departed.

2. Abhidhamma Chanting (สวดพระอภิธรรม): This is a Buddhist chanting ritual where monks recite passages from the Abhidhamma, the third part of the Pali Canon, which deals with Buddhist philosophy and teachings. The chanting is believed to bring peace to the deceased’s soul, transfer merit, and provide spiritual comfort to the family and attendees during the mourning period. It often takes place for several days leading up to the cremation ceremony.

In Thai Buddhist funeral traditions, the body of the deceased is usually placed in a coffin during the ceremonies. For the bathing ceremony, the body is respectfully prepared, and only the hands of the deceased are often placed outside the coffin so that attendees can pour water over them. This practice is symbolic and ensures that the body remains respectfully covered.

For the Abhidhamma chanting, the coffin is typically kept closed. The monks sit near the coffin and perform the chanting, and the body is not visible during this part of the ritual. The closed coffin remains present throughout the chanting sessions until the cremation ceremony.

In Thai Buddhist funeral traditions, several ceremonies take place over the course of multiple days to honor the deceased. Here’s a breakdown of the key ceremonies:

1. Bathing Ceremony (พิธีรดน้ำศพ): As mentioned earlier, this is the initial ritual where family and friends pour water over the deceased’s hands as a sign of respect and farewell. It is often held shortly after the death.

2. Daily Abhidhamma Chanting (สวดพระอภิธรรม): This chanting ritual is typically held in the evenings for several consecutive days, leading up to the cremation. Monks recite passages from the Abhidhamma to offer merit to the deceased and comfort the grieving family. The number of chanting days can vary, ranging from 1 to 7 days or more, depending on the family’s wishes.

3. Offering Food to Monks (ทำบุญเลี้ยงพระ): On one of the mornings before the cremation day, the family hosts a ceremony where they offer food and other essentials to the monks. This is an important act of merit-making for the deceased, believed to help them in their journey in the afterlife.

4. Cremation Ceremony (พิธีฌาปนกิจ): This is the main and final ceremony, typically held on the last day. It begins with monks chanting prayers, followed by a procession of the coffin to the crematorium. Attendees pay their final respects by placing a ceremonial flower (called “dok mai chan” or “sandalwood flower”) on or near the coffin as a symbol of farewell. The coffin is then placed in the crematorium, and the cremation process begins.

5. Collection of Ashes (เก็บอัฐิ): The morning after the cremation, family members gather to collect the ashes and bones of the deceased from the crematorium. The collected remains are often kept in an urn, which may be taken to a temple or kept at home.

6. Merit-Making Ceremony (ทำบุญอัฐิ): This is a post-cremation ceremony, usually held on the 7th, 50th, or 100th day after the death. It involves inviting monks to chant and perform rituals, offering food to the monks, and making merit on behalf of the deceased.