cost pro rata of thai funerals

**Aussie Tigger** · 15-09-2010, 06:34 PM

Thai Funerals which I have observed due to my wifes Father and
Uncle passing on over the past two years frankly amaze me as to the cost pro rata
compared to the same situation in Australia.I calculated that if one based the annual Income
of say an average ?? worker at say 15000 baht a month(average does not include rural
workers in isaan (ie 6-8000baht a month) and a normal Cremation/Funeral at a cost of
100,000 baht then it takes for them an absolute mimimum 12months total salary to pay for
it.Where as in Australia where I come from you can have a
respectable funeral for under 10,000AUD which based on a annual income of say 3200aud a
month takes only approx 3 months to pay for.No point trying to get them to minimise their
costs as they would lose face if they cut corners.For those farangs who have not had to
contribulte yet to the cost of a thai funeral I suggest they take out Insurance on their wives
family ASAP and avoid the drama if they complained about the amount they w
were asked to contribute.

**dirtydog** · 15-09-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Aussie Tigger

and a normal Cremation/Funeral at a cost of 100,000 baht

That isn't a normal cremation at that price.

**Marmite the Dog** · 15-09-2010, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

That isn't a normal cremation at that price.

What do you reckon a normal cremation would cost? I've no idea as I try to keep away from them.

**jandajoy** · 15-09-2010, 06:40 PM

Here in the rain soaked north when it's time to light the fires, which happens far to regularly, everybody gives an envelope to the immediate family of the deceased.

In said envelope will be 50 - 100 baht. to help cover the costs of the funeral.

Apparently it works pretty well. But we are way out bush.

**dirtydog** · 15-09-2010, 06:40 PM

Coffins start at about 2k baht, then you start to choose your expenses, here's some nice coffins

https://teakdoor.com/thailands-wats-t...made-your.html (Thai Coffins, have you made your choice yet?)

**Marmite the Dog** · 15-09-2010, 06:43 PM

But how much for the Saffron Mafia?

**jandajoy** · 15-09-2010, 06:52 PM

According to the Misses, seated at my feet, the whole process seems to vary through out Thailand.

Minimum cost around 40,000 but villagers contribute cash or food or whatever, to help out.

In some areas the bones will be ground up and thrown, with flowers, into a river.

In other areas they'll be buried.

Alternatively the ashes may be set up in a spirit house.

Apparently gas burners are now used in some areas. They do a really good job.

**Mr Lick** · 15-09-2010, 07:14 PM

I've told my girl to stick me in the freezer for a couple of years after i've passed on and to keep drawing my UK pension. Tell everyone in the village that i've gone to the UK and when she's happy to defrost me then take me down to the local temple for a quick roasting. (don't think she will though as she's too honest)

One proviso is that my remains are kept in the front garden of the house so that i can say hello to everyone in the morning. I struggle with Thai so not much good dumping me in the temple grounds.

**dirtydog** · 15-09-2010, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

But how much for the Saffron Mafia?

It will vary from Temple to Temple and how respected it is, you could probably get away with 20k baht if the coffin gets stuck in the corner some where for the 3 days, you want the best Temple, best monks and all the other rubbish including nice prominent position for the coffin your going to pay more, outside the bogs do you for your 3 days

**The Fresh Prince** · 15-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Minimum cost around 40,000 but villagers contribute cash or food or whatever, to help out.

This was the price of my wifes grandfathers funeral. And it was also the base price of my mates dads funeral but we had to pay a bit extra for "He big farrang, we need more charcoal."

At the Grandfathers funeral, everybody there, about 400 people, donated between 20-100bt in envelopes and then the local MP's who were there canvasing all the guests for votes in the upcoming election, made up the difference.

**jandajoy** · 15-09-2010, 07:27 PM

Seems to be that the right way to go if you snuff it is to throw your corpse thrown in the back of your ute or in the boot of the bus and ship it up here.

2000bht max for the men in yellow.

**The Fresh Prince** · 15-09-2010, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Seems to be that the right way to go if you snuff it is to your corpse thrown in the back of your ute or in the boot of the bus and ship it up here.

Yep that bit freaked me out. The granddad died in a hospital in Bangkok and he needed to go back to Phitsanoloke and the hospital wanted 10,000bt for transportation which I offered to pay. The family wouldn't have that and said that I could drive him.

Having never driven a dead body around before I was freaked out with visions of him being propped up in the back seat. But when it came to it they lent me their Vigo and he was put in the bed of the truck in a coffin, which stuck out the back a bit so the nephews sat in the back with him so that he didn't fall out.

**Norton** · 15-09-2010, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Minimum cost around 40,000 but villagers contribute cash or food or whatever, to help out.

Would say about average. Also, many old folks have "funeral" insurance. Depending on the policy, payment to the deceased family varies from 10 to 20K baht.

**jandajoy** · 15-09-2010, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

Having never driven a dead body around before I was freaked out with visions of him being propped up in the back seat. But when it came to it they lent me their Vigo and he was put in the bed of the truck in a coffin, which stuck out the back a bit so the nephews sat in the back with him so that he didn't fall out

Why bother with the coffin? Bin bags take up far less space.

**The Fresh Prince** · 15-09-2010, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Why bother with the coffin?

It was my first time.

**jandajoy** · 15-09-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

It was my first time.

Fair enough..........

**Chairman Mao** · 15-09-2010, 09:24 PM

Get a bonfire out the back garden and chuck me on it.

Price: An hour in the woods collecting kindling.

Spend the 40k on food for homeless women and children and spend a few days handing it out.

Will be much happier.

Better do me will now, cheers.

**Larn** · 15-09-2010, 09:47 PM

Been to a few in my time.
In the old days each house in the village would donate a log for the pyre. The family killed pigs and chickens. Village folk would chip in and bring food and booze to the party.

Gas and insurance came along. Money in envelopes replaced logs. Insurance covered most of the food and booze.

Last one a few months ago was a senior public servant. The family paid out heaps with envelope donations to match. Royal sponsored funeral ceremony, lots of bigwigs and candle delivered from the palace. Guests received a commemorative booklet and Agar-wood sapling.

**DrAndy** · 15-09-2010, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Get a bonfire out the back garden and chuck me on it.

Price: An hour in the woods collecting kindling.

Spend the 40k on food for homeless women and children and spend a few days handing it out.

Will be much happier.

Better do me will now, cheers.

they have a nice spot in the jungle for burning bodies, no need to involve the temple

just get the wood together and make a pyre (there is always an old man who is an expert and costs a few hundred baht to organise everything)

have a nice burning; then spend the money you have saved on lots of drinkies

**Chairman Mao** · 16-09-2010, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Get a bonfire out the back garden and chuck me on it.

Price: An hour in the woods collecting kindling.

Spend the 40k on food for homeless women and children and spend a few days handing it out.

Will be much happier.

Better do me will now, cheers.

they have a nice spot in the jungle for burning bodies, no need to involve the temple

just get the wood together and make a pyre (there is always an old man who is an expert and costs a few hundred baht to organise everything)

have a nice burning; then spend the money you have saved on lots of drinkies

Sounds good to me.

**genghis61** · 16-09-2010, 09:16 AM

it'll be a biggie when gf's mum goes - but she has a 100k ins policy, and they're all non-drinkers so there may even be some change over. When the father died a separate little prayer building maybe 5m sq was built/dedicated to him at local temple and her ashes will go there too, sort of like having a pre-paid plot.

All this family have insurance policies ranging from 500-1000baht/month; all except me i can just go on the bonfire, been clear about what I want.

The 'family' contribute 1000 baht to any local funeral - that's 500 from the old girl and 100 each on behalf of children. Seems this is expected and that's the way it is.

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