Do Thai Buddhists Have A Problem With Images Of Deceased?

[rockyysdt]

After receiving news of the death of a wonderful Thai woman who passed away last February, l realized I had the only known video image of her, relaxing at the village.

I've had the clip converted to DVD format & burnt several copies so it can be readily played back on most players.

I thought it would be good to forward some copies of the DVD to the family as a memento of their loved one.

I know some cultures may have an aversion of moving images of the dead.

Is there such a cultural issue with Thai Buddhists?

[Jonathanpattaya]

No they don't.

In fact, they quite happily take snaps of the corpse before cremation.

[jdinasia]

Not that I am aware of. In fact I have seen plenty of bodies that are still being kept around in temples.

You might ASK if they want them though, and even if they say "no" now, be sure to keep it for later when things calm down.

[backsoon]

Not that I am aware of. In fact I have seen plenty of bodies that are still being kept around in temples.

You might ASK if they want them though, and even if they say "no" now, be sure to keep it for later when things calm down.

Agreed. I recently attended a funeral of a Thai friend. There was a photo near casket in the WAT. Also the numerous photo and portraits of monks, kings etc. are everywhere.

I am not sure about Video, but think it's no problem. Talk to a monk. Ask the family.

[noahvail]

A good Thai friend's father passed away 3 days after my friend was 'unavailable' for 6 months. It was a 5-day funeral. I took a little over 1,000 photos, spent a week or so going through them (the joys of digital camera - take several, throw away most). Ended up giving him 3 albums with a total of 300 pix. He was so grateful, as was his mother. Those albums now have a place of honour in their home. There were two other guys taking pix, and a videocamera.

But yeah, kinda weird walking up and taking pix of the corpse, frozen mustache and all.

A positive side effect was getting to know the abbot of the wat (through a translator). A funny guy! And someone who just exudes peace.

Bottom line: the pix are welcomed; just be respectful, try not to come between the speaker and the audience, smile a lot, and have fun with the ones who come up to you and ask for their pix to be taken!

[Sisaketmike]

A good Thai friend's father passed away 3 days after my friend was 'unavailable' for 6 months. It was a 5-day funeral. I took a little over 1,000 photos, spent a week or so going through them (the joys of digital camera - take several, throw away most). Ended up giving him 3 albums with a total of 300 pix. He was so grateful, as was his mother. Those albums now have a place of honour in their home. There were two other guys taking pix, and a videocamera.

But yeah, kinda weird walking up and taking pix of the corpse, frozen mustache and all.

A positive side effect was getting to know the abbot of the wat (through a translator). A funny guy! And someone who just exudes peace.

Bottom line: the pix are welcomed; just be respectful, try not to come between the speaker and the audience, smile a lot, and have fun with the ones who come up to you and ask for their pix to be taken!

The moustache wasn’t real, they only did that for the ghosts that they might think it’s a man.