A Chinese funeral in Battambang

I woke to the sound of music and Cantonese announcements over a loud speaker close to the hotel. I went off to investigate and discovered a funeral service had begun. The mourners and monks had gathered in venue come restaurant.  I noticed a photographer and videographer working amongst those gathered and checked that it was appropriate for me to take photos. Not only was I assured that it was fine, I was given a hand tied set of offerings.

These Tuk Tuks had brought those attending and were now waiting to follow the extraordinarily decorated hearse around the town.

The hearse

These ladies in dressed in white work in the Pagoda/temple cooking and cleaning for the monks.

Not the most flattering photo but it was dawn on a Sunday morning sidewalk ....

This is the little bunch of offerings which included flowers, incense and fake money which was given to me. 

Offerings for the pagoda being loaded onto the hearse

I want to say sweet n sour.....but they were actually raw and cooked !!!!'m more offerings

A large photograph of the deceased surrounded by fresh floral tributes

The drummers.  These boys would also be Lion Dancers at other ceremonial occasions 

Preparing to lead the procession

The coffin in place

Chief mourners

Another mourner

Perhaps a grandchild!

The gentleman with carrier bag was throwing fake paper money along the route through the town to the Pagoda to ensure the deceased had money in his afterlife.

The procession around the town 

At this point I returned to my hotel for breakfast. An hour or so later I resumed my wander and luckily came across the next stage of the funeral as the burial in the Pagoda was taking place. Again there was no issue with me taking photos.  I do know that certainly in the past in China one could actually hire professional mourners to join in funerals.

This guy wasn't so upset as to ignore his phone.

Here were the two pigs I had seen earlier in a tuk tuk as part of the offerings.

Offerings to help look after this gentleman in his afterlife.

This looked like it was a gift to the monks

The coffin with flowers and candles  before it was lowered 

Lowering the deceased to his final resting place

An assortment of offerings

A real cutie

Just in case no one believes me.... Recording for posterity

Inside the pagoda

The temple

The drummers leave

Chillin' 

This MC was still going strong 5 hours later when I noticed the attendees had regrouped at the first venue for refreshments.  What a send off and a eulogy which lasted 5 hours !