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Because many people do not learn of a death immediately or cannot attend the funeral or cremation because bodies in Cambodia are not embalmed and are buried or cremated quickly, another ceremony is held on the seventh day after death, partly to allow people to attend who could not come earlier. Again, the focus of the service is the chanting of prayers by Buddhist monks. |
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At this ceremony on the seventh day, most of the mourners were family members, partly because many of the neighbors who would normally come were attending another funeral and a wedding being held at the same time in the small neighborhood. |
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While the ceremonies were going on, staff of a food service were preparing various dishes and setting up tables for all the mourners who would be fed after the ceremony. |
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Every one who attends a funeral is expected to offer some money to cover the costs. The money is given in an envelope with the guest's name on it, and the name and amount are recorded. Later when others die, they will invite this deceased man's family who will in turn help with those future expenses. |
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During a silent period after the first chanting, some of the family arranged offerings and flowers on a shrine set up in the room. |
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Again a head monk offered his reflections on Buddhist teachings about life and death after the chanting. The monks bring this special chair for the monk so that he is in a position of respect above the common people. |
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Many of the guests, especially younger people, do not stay to listen to the monk. Instead they sit outside and talk and wait for the food to be served. |