[enasseneiff]

well i have been to 2 states, north carolina when i was little, i dont remember much of that, and alabama last sept when my aunt passed away.
me and my sis flew up there to be with her on her death bed. cries.
but from what i have heard from the little time there, ppl were kind. but here in fl where i am living now. the ppl r horrible. church goers on sun, and as soon as they step out of church, they get back to their sinful lives. when i had my sight, i saw ppl in church, and when they walked out, stare at women and whistle, have cigarettes or beers in their hands.
so that is y i am saying that. i know i shouldnt generalize though.

[WertyNtont]

The Thai people are not so disconnected from death as are, say, Americans. They don't just cart the body away, keeping as many people from seeing as possible, and then the next time you see them they are all embalmed and made up like a Hollywood actor. When my father-in-law was dying, he was attended to by family members old and young. When he died, family members handled the body and prepared it for transport. The casket was open and people poured coconut water over it (again old and young alike). My brother-in-law video taped the whole thing, even capturing his dying words. It is so much more personal and connected than the sterile procedures used in America. I will do everything within my power to ensure that I die at home in Thailand, surrounded by family and friends. I am totally repulsed by the idea of dying in a hospital or nursing home, surrounded by undereducated and underpaid strangers.