Organize a great event for others. But the day will come when I have to leave alone.
When Dad passed away five years ago, Aunt Jai, as Dad's only older sister, came in to take care of many things for us. Because the family had just experienced their first loss, everyone was helpless.
"I have contacted the temple for you. The abbot is my grandfather's older brother. You can reserve the queue for the desired date," she said, referring to her husband who had passed away earlier. “Did your father order you to take that temple? I think it's said in harmony. This temple is better than my friends. It's more convenient for guests to come and go."
Auntie Jai ordered one story at a time, but everything seemed fluent, starting with the temple she recommended. Although at first Mother was hesitant because before Father died she had said that she wanted to be cremated at the temple across from the house because the family was more familiar with other places. But when consulting with each other, it must be seen that Auntie Jai is satisfied when considering the travel of the guests.
“Funerals are not about the dead but about the living. You must think of your relatives and friends as well as your child.”
My aunt and father are both retired civil servants. Although they are not very large, they are considered to be quite well known.
“Oh, another thing: when the royal cremation that you requested to go to arrives, A and B have to stand and wait to receive it, wearing white clothes and they will look beautiful.” The aunt's son and daughter also serve in the government service. While both father's children work in the private sector. Aunt Jai frowned slightly. “But there are not enough two people, so we have to find more. It's okay, A and B, go ask three or four friends dressed in white to come and stand to answer the fire for your aunt." In the end, aunt ordered the two children instead.
Father's work was accomplished successfully. The fire was burned at a famous temple, convenient for guests to travel, and there were children and grandchildren in white robes waiting to receive the royal fire.
Five years have passed until today. Auntie Jai contracted Covid and passed away yesterday. P'A contacted the temple where his father was cremated but was rejected. The royal cremation request when informed of the cause of her aunt's death could not be done.
“We probably have to keep mum's event simple. Temples contacted to accept cremations are limited to asking no more than five close relatives to perform the ceremony.”
Auntie said that funerals are for the living to decide on arrangements for the dead. But more than that, there are things that living people cannot do. Will Auntie know that her children and grandchildren can do this? Under the day the virus still coexists with living people. In this world...