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Langkawi Nature Blogs
14 Sep 2010: Mark / with pictures from Langkawi Gazette and "Red Pegasus".Updated with a few lines from Elizabeth Booth
Today was Bob's Cremation in the little Indian Temple in Kisap, near Kuah.
Many Expats have no intention of leaving Langkawi - until they will one day have to leave it for good.
And that's probably where their body will end up.
Although it seems possible to get a proper burial with the help of the Christian Church (at least on the mainland - our information is not very precise about this) - it seems to be the much easier and practical way to cremate the body on Langkawi. And this is the place.
We seize the occasion of Bob's cremation to show you how it is done. We are sure that this is ok with Bob - and hope it will be ok with his friends too.
The whole thing is very simple and 'clean'. No religious symbols, no paid priest, no false pretense - in short: no added significance. It is what it is - and therefore a very 'true' act out in the nature between beautiful big trees.
And a reader, Elizabeth, added:
May I add a couple more points which may be of interest? Ian and I have attended around eight cremation services at Kisap, and they have all been very different from each other. Importantly, it is perfectly possible to "tailor" one's own ceremony (well, have someone do it for you as you won't be in a position to do so....).
The site can be decorated in any way one wishes, and for those desiring a religious send-off, Father John from the Stella Maris Chapel in Kuah is a very compassionate and empathetic man--don't worry, he is happy to "do" non-Catholics too.
The Hindu guardians of the site are very accepting of all belief systems. Some have commented that they find the laughing and joking of these guys as they sit around watching the proceedings intrusive and disrespectful. They don't mean to be, it's just that their perception of "death" differs from the Western one, and if it's explained to them beforehand that their silence would be appreciated they will comply...sort of!
Elizabeth Booth
