Thai Temple In Bangkok Offers Funerals For Pets

[webfact]

This Thai temple offers funerals for pets

An orange-robed monk chanted as a teary-eyed, black-clad family prayed quietly in front of a crematorium. A normal Buddhist funeral service in Thailand except for one thing -- the deceased was canine.

Bereaved pet lovers in Bangkok come to Klong Toey Nai temple by the Chao Phraya river to mark the passing of their animal friends with full funeral rites which begin with short prayers by monks, a two-hour cremation, and a trip down the river to spread the ashes. "She is part of our family. In life, we took her to a grooming salon and a swimming pool. In death, we want to give her the best too," said Jiraporn Wongwanna, 35, who just lost her 14-year-old terrier-poodle mix, Bai Toey, to liver failure.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/pets/This-Thai-temple-offers-funerals-for-pets/articleshow/6129888.cms

-- THE TIMES OF INDIA 2011-03-25

[sbk]

Moving to Pets forum

[dunkin2012]

Hum............ we all respect doggies.....

[isanbirder]

Some people will feel that this is a good way to express their love for the pet which has died.

I believe a better way to commemorate your pet is to donate to animal charities, e.g. dog shelters. With people too, I would rather spend money on the living than the dead. And I hope those I leave behind me will think the same way.

[sbk]

And some people will find they have no place to take their pets remains. and for them, this is useful info.

[geriatrickid]

Some people will feel that this is a good way to express their love for the pet which has died.

I believe a better way to commemorate your pet is to donate to animal charities, e.g. dog shelters. With people too, I would rather spend money on the living than the dead. And I hope those I leave behind me will think the same way.

The funeral allows the people to grieve and acts to bring closure to the loss of dearly loved companion. I understand your point and I agree, but for those that are in pain, the funeral helps the healing process and is certainly better than tossing a friend in the trash. Funerals are for the living, not the dead.

[ETatBKK]

Thai funerals really 'do for the living, not the dead' ! of course monks are there, the participants all very dressed, especially ladies with full make up and accessories, sometimes live music too, with full respect ! they do turn the absolute sadness and mark a memory of switching from current life to next life.

by the way, funeral for pets already in Thai culture for many years.

The funeral allows the people to grieve and acts to bring closure to the loss of dearly loved companion. I understand your point and I agree, but for those that are in pain, the funeral helps the healing process and is certainly better than tossing a friend in the trash. Funerals are for the living, not the dead.

[Tod Daniels]

I had both my 12 y/o Somali cats; Red Mother & Ruddy Boy who died last year cremated at Wat Khlong Toey Nai.

In Thai it's; วัดคลองเตยใน and here's their number; 02-249-3364.

Here's the website;

Wat Khlong Toey Nai

I didn't have the monk do the "water pouring, string holding, candle lighting, chanting" dealy because I told them my cat(s) weren't buddhist. However they do offer that service and they do a good job of the ones I watched.

The workers were deferential to my grief, the handling of the box, etc. I got all the ashes/bones back, washed, dried and tied up in a small piece of white cloth. (I now have them in wooden boxes on the top of my telivision). The temple even has a company which will make wooden pet caskets and custom made urns to keep the ashes.

I thought 1500baht was a tad steep for just a normal sized dead cat, but still they were thorough and efficient.

Anecedotally; while I was there waiting for my cat to be err, done; some Thais showed up with a dead Great Dane in the back of their pick-up truck. It had been in the sun a little tooo long and was pretty ripe. It was also rough watching the workers trying to bend, fold and tie up the body so it would fit into the furnace. Strange that the thais whose dog it was didn't seem to think anything of it.

Still, I'd recommend Wat Khlong Toey Nai with no reservations to someone looking for this service.

[WaatWang]

I didn't have the monk do the "water pouring, string holding, candle lighting, chanting" dealy because I told them my cat(s) weren't buddhist.

Ah, I love it! Perfectly logical explanation, and just makes me wonder what religion cats are! :jap:

When we had a dog die here in Pattaya, our veterinarian was able to do a private creamation for us and we have our dog's ashes back as well. No ceremony though - I think it is a nice service for those that are interested in it.

Thanks for sharing the phone & website for future reference.