Khun Da's Funeral Part 2, Isaan Thailand.

I blogged part 1 of Khun Da’s funeral in Isaan Thailand. This is part two and Khun Da’s final journey on this earth.


After removing Da’s coffin from the house it is placed on the back of a pick-up truck, the monks then come to the front of the truck and hold a large piece of string called Bhusa Yong.


People hang onto the Bhusa Yong behind the monks; this is connected to the coffin. One of the monks repeats portions of the Abhidharma as they walk to the cremation area. Friends and relatives hold onto the Bhusa Yong and feel that they are doing their last service for the deceased and engaged in a commendable act as well.

This man is throwing rice in its husks, they call this Kow Tok Tak and is to make the spirits of already deceased happy and allow them to travel to the cremation area.



The cremation area is about 1km out of the village. Hear the scattering of the rice continues.

The monks are first to enter the area.



Khun Da’s journey is nearly over.


Khun Da’s coffin is resting on the funeral pyre with the monks facing ready to perform the final ceremony or rites.

Everyone who attends picks up some twigs or bark and adds to the funeral pyre.



Everyone will “Lang Na” or wash the face of Khun Da using fresh coconuts. I do not know why as even Noot doesn’t know and I will have to ask someone more senior that will know the answer.



The final rites are then performed.


Then all so quickly everyone places their piece of sandalwood or fragrant wood they were given onto the pyre after it is lit.

The next day the family return and do what is called “pick the bones”, they sort through the ashes for any bits of bone left to be wrapped in cloth and placed into an urn. These were then placed nest to Khun Da’s deceased wife, Khun Ban. They were together again.

Brunty.