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Last Friday, James Au Yeung, a friend of Charlie Dittmeier and the owner of Pacific Systems computer company, collapsed and died while playing ping pong on a lunch break with his staff. Because he is from a Chinese background, he was buried rather than cremated. His body was kept at a local wat and today there was a final ceremony before they took it for burial. |
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There were ten pall bearers to carry the coffin and they were needed. He had an elaborate Chinese coffin that may have weighed more than 500 pounds by itself and James was a big man. The men carrying the coffin were from a funeral company that organizes such a service and gives directions to the family and other mourners throughout in order that the rituals can be carried out properly. |
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Great significance is given to numbers in Chinese culture, especially the homophones, numbers that sound like another word that is lucky or auspicious. The name of the company, "66," reflects these beliefs. |
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In Cambodia, a hearse is not an enclosed vehicle, especially for the Chinese, and the coffin is put into the back of a truck that is especially modified to hold the coffin and a number of monks who will sit beside it on its final journey. |
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The body was to be buried in another province but proper ritual requires that the funeral procession leave the wat on foot. The trucks carrying the body and flowers go first, followed by a group of young boys in satin costumes, and then the family, dressed in white muslin, followed by other mourners. After they have walked a block or so, they then switch to vehicles for the ride to the burial place. |
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