"Buddhist Funeral – Siem Reap, Cambodia" (by Erika Pineros)

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Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:19:01 +0000

Relatives are responsible for catering the funeral, a two day-long event attended by more than a hundred relatives and friends.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Relatives are responsible for catering the funeral, a two day-long event attended by more than a hundred relatives and friends.
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Relatives & friends contribute to the ceremony costs. A book with names and contributions is kept as record, this way favors can be returned.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Relatives & friends contribute to the ceremony costs. A book with names and contributions is kept as record, this way favors can be returned.
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Relatives and friends make a contribution to the family to help cover some of the funeral's costs. Often, families join efforts to provide their own dead a proper funeral.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Relatives and friends make a contribution to the family to help cover some of the funeral's costs. Often, families join efforts to provide their own dead a proper funeral.
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Saly, 21, the youngest of a family of nine, gets ready for her brother's funeral.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Saly, 21, the youngest of a family of nine, gets ready for her brother's funeral.
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Gnam, an elder expert on funerals, walks around with the funeral flag where people put offerings inside, and make wishes before hoisting it.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Gnam, an elder expert on funerals, walks around with the funeral flag where people put offerings inside, and make wishes before hoisting it.
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The white flag signifies that someone has died. People from around the village will come and offer their help and condolences.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

The white flag signifies that someone has died. People from around the village will come and offer their help and condolences.
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Elders pray with the monks, while the younger generations prepare the food and look after the guests.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Elders pray with the monks, while the younger generations prepare the food and look after the guests.
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Elders pray with the monks to release the Dead's souls.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Elders pray with the monks to release the Dead's souls.
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Buddhist nun praying.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:22:50 +0000

Buddhist nun praying.
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Nguon, a man well-known in the village for his knowledge on rituals on how to lead the spirits to freedom is hired by the family to lead the rituals.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Nguon, a man well-known in the village for his knowledge on rituals on how to lead the spirits to freedom is hired by the family to lead the rituals.
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Portraits of the deceased rest on the wall, while an old woman prepares offerings to the Dead.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Portraits of the deceased rest on the wall, while an old woman prepares offerings to the Dead.
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Lika, 27, washes the dishes with her son. For the two days the funeral lasts, food is constantly served to new arrivals.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Lika, 27, washes the dishes with her son. For the two days the funeral lasts, food is constantly served to new arrivals.
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Traditional Khmer musicians play music, everybody joins the dance.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Traditional Khmer musicians play music, everybody joins the dance.
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Children and adults find a place to sleep a few hours before they go to the Pagoda at sunrise.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Children and adults find a place to sleep a few hours before they go to the Pagoda at sunrise.
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Early on the second day, the elder start the offerings for the monks. In exchange Buddhist monks will pray to the Dead.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Early on the second day, the elder start the offerings for the monks. In exchange Buddhist monks will pray to the Dead.
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Early on the second day, the elder start the offerings for the monks. In exchange Buddhist monks will pray to the Dead.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Early on the second day, the elder start the offerings for the monks. In exchange Buddhist monks will pray to the Dead.
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After the elders, younger generations line up to join the offerings.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

After the elders, younger generations line up to join the offerings.
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A nun joins the monks in a prayer to the Death.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

A nun joins the monks in a prayer to the Death.
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Tchiam, 83, the village funeral and ritual expert leads the prayers with the monks.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Tchiam, 83, the village funeral and ritual expert leads the prayers with the monks.
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Elders pray inside the house, while the younger socialize outside.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Elders pray inside the house, while the younger socialize outside.
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Relatives and friends walk around the house where the funeral takes place to release it from bad luck.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Relatives and friends walk around the house where the funeral takes place to release it from bad luck.
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Mang, 66, prays in front to the "pun pnhom ksai" (handful of sand) during his son's funeral, five bowls filled with sand, which represent an old Buddhist tale.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

Mang, 66, prays in front to the "pun pnhom ksai" (handful of sand) during his son's funeral, five bowls filled with sand, which represent an old Buddhist tale.
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After covering the funeral costs, whatever contributions are left are offered as gratitude to the older people, the cooks and other helpers from the village.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:17:43 +0000

After covering the funeral costs, whatever contributions are left are offered as gratitude to the older people, the cooks and other helpers from the village.
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