The Show Goes On: Chinese Cemetery In Thailand Hosts Movie Screenings For The Deceased

Going the extra mile to ensure comfort in the afterlife, a Chinese cemetery in Thailand organised a movie screening for the deceased.

According to the South China Morning Post, the cemetery located in the Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeastern Thailand held the screening for deceased people between June 2-6. The cemetery has 2,800 graves.

The event was mainly for Chinese immigrants who had moved to Thailand and were buried there. Several rows of empty chairs were placed at the cemetery and films were screened to commemorate the souls who had moved to the afterlife.

Four staff members were present at the open-air show that began at 7 pm and ran until midnight daily. Rows of empty chairs were carefully laid out, and the staff made arrangements for the spirits through paper offerings. Paper replicas of food, vehicles, model houses, clothing, and daily essentials were burnt and offered to the spirits.

The Sawang Metta Thammasathan Foundation organised the screening to remember the spirits and offer them entertainment, according to a Thai daily.

Somchai, the event organiser, said several Chinese communities in Thailand believe in the traditional custom of screening movies for the deceased. It usually takes place after the Ching Ming Festival or before the Dragon Boat Festival, according to the South China Morning Post report.

The report said event contractor, Yanawut Chakrawattisawang, was initially scared about the screenings at a cemetery. However, he later described it as a unique and positive experience.