Another Funeral

35 years old, mother of a 7-year old and a toddler, just died on Sunday. She was the niece of one of the workers at the center here. She died of kidney failure. We went to the funeral last night. Next to the refrigerated coffin where her body lie, was a picture of her on her wedding day. All the Bang Sak folks were there, cooking, serving, and working hard. The coffin was set up in an open area on the open first story of the house, surrounded by flowers, incense, candles & food offerings. Outside were plastic blue & white striped canopies, under which rough tables & chairs were set up on the dirt, and dinner was served. We ate whole fried fish, fish curry, sweet pepper pork, rice, a hot pepper dip, one spicy soup & one bland soup, and Longon fruit.
Uncle Why, as we call him, was holding his nephew, who hadn't been weaned yet and wasn't drinking from a bottle or sleeping at night. Uncle Why is a beloved, respected member of the Bang Sak community. He is one of the main workers at the center, too.