funerals

Let me make a disclaimer right here at the beginning. I have never been to a funeral in this country. I have never been to a church in this country. I am only giving you my impressions as an outsider.

Most of the people here seem to be Buddhist, and they also worship deceased ancestors and family members. I don't know if that's an aspect of Buddhism or not, but homes and business have shrines, and sometimes have pictures of family members who have passed on. 

I have seen many funeral processions pass by me. The deceased is carried an an elaborately decorated vehicle, and there are usually people all dressed in white in the vehicle too. The family wears white, I am not sure if all the mourners do, but I think so. I have most often seen these processions in the morning, and this morning I heard one before it was quite daylight. Sometimes there are more vehicles carrying more mourners, and the vehicles also have drums that the mourners are beating. There is loud music that is not at all what I think of as funeral music, with brass instruments and drums, and sometimes singing too. Some people are buried in cemeteries, others on land near the family home. Sometimes people are not buried, but put into a stone coffin? mausoleum? that sits above ground. Remember that this are is at or below sea level, and this is probably to keep the grave safe from flooding. 

On the anniversary of a death, the family comes together to celebrate the life that has gone before. I'm sure there are many other rituals, but as I say, I am an outside observer. Perhaps someday I'll have an opportunity to give you my first hand experience.