The ceremony is one of Vietnam’s most sacred death rituals, an ancient custom usually carried out before the Tet lunar new year in early February this year, as the final act in life’s journey. Modernity is chipping away at the tradition with cremations pref­erred as a more simple, clean and cheap passage into the afterlife. For Thang’s relatives, however, meeting his wishes of a reburial three years after he died of cancer aged 59 was never in question. If the remains are black and bare of flesh, as Thang’s were, it’s a relief. Adherents to the ancient custom believe the souls of the dead are stuck in a spiritual limbo until they are reburied.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 01, 2019 18:00 UTC