I was invited to a Chinese-Thai funeral ceremony this weekend, and wow, I was surprised! What I thought was going to be a somber event turned out to be a 2 hour acrobatic and percussion show. There was flag-waving, gymnastics, percussion (serious noise making), chanting, dancing and prayers.

Is this fype of ceremony specific to Thailand or is this a broader Chinese custom? I've never seen or heard of anything like it for a funeral. It was like they were trying to wake the dead. If anyone can point me to a weblink with more about the history and customs involved, I'd really appreciate that.

Err ... I also learned the hard way why there were seats open near the front ... no one who knew what was coming wanted to sit near the percussion section. ENTER - Unwitting Farang. my ears are still ringing.

it's a thai custom, only rich are able to afford it

I was invited to a Chinese-Thai funeral ceremony this weekend, ...

...my ears are still ringing.

Hi Ithailian,

I guess what you've see is very similar to the Taiwanese funeral in the following link:

http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?showtopic=12189

it's a thai custom, only rich are able to afford it

errm No - its Chinese

Even in Singapore I have seen them on TV but its not that popular now. I think there is about only one of the special mourning troupe of women dressed in white who come to wail and cry.