Jewel In The Lotus: Siem Reap - The Way We Saw It

While in the village, we chanced upon some gaily-coloured tents in the recently-harvested rice fields. We were then told that the villagers are holding a funeral ceremony, but one with a different twist, in the sense that the deceased(s) had already passed away years ago. Most Cambodians are Buddhists who believe in the cycle of life after death and in rebirth and reincarnation. They believe that the soul of the deceased must be sent off to their next life cycle with proper rituals in the Buddhist tradition. However, in rural areas where the poor faces financial restraints in fulfilling this immediately, it is common that they will bury their loved ones and years later exhume their bodies years and collectively hold this ceremony with other families. In this way, the ceremony costs can then be shared among the families involved. Relatives and friends may also contribute to the cost.

During this ceremony, which is held over a few days, depending on the number of families participating in the ritual, the bodies of their loved ones will be exhumed and brought to this place to be cremated in an open-structure in the likeness of a stupa. Banana stalks are used to make the bonfire for the cremation. Monks play a vital role in this ritual, as in other Buddhist rituals. Within the tent, an elevated platform adorned with images of Buddha is specially prepared for them to conduct prayers for the deceased souls. Other elders of the village, dressed in white, will sit on the floor and pray together with the monks. The younger family members gather outside to cook and serve the guests.