The Interpretation on Moral Teaching in Ritual of Funeral The Interpretation on Moral Teaching in Ritual of Funeral

Abstract

This academic article aims to interpret philosophical Dharma within the funeral ritual known as Songsakarn (cremation rites). It finds that this ritual is an act of paying respect to the deceased, expressing gratitude, remembrance, and honor, with the intention of guiding the departed soul toward a higher realm, such as heaven or a celestial abode. The ritual reflects the moral principle of gratitude (katanyu) and the repayment of kindness to benefactors (parents and elders). The practice of bathing the corpse is based on the belief that the body becomes impure and decayed after death; therefore, coconut water—considered pure and elevated—is used to cleanse the body, symbolically aiding the soul’s transition to a favorable rebirth. This demonstrates that death is not merely a biological end, but a social phenomenon that connects gratitude toward ancestors with beliefs about the afterlife and heaven. Through symbolic analysis, especially in the bathing ritual and the use of coconut water, the process represents purification from physical impurity in preparation for a higher spiritual state. Religious and philosophical interpretations transform abstract moral teachings into concrete practices, reinforced by funeral chants that remind participants of impermanence. Thus, the ritual functions as a “cultural language” that helps people cope with loss, fosters social unity, and marks the transition of the deceased. In conclusion, Songsakarn serves as an ethical mechanism that encourages the living to live mindfully and continue the moral values passed down from their ancestors.