University dean lauds smooth, efficient handling of revered monk’s final rites

The late monk’s Bt50 million, which he had originally set aside for cremation and related rites, was still in the Phra Ratchanirottharangsee Khampheera Panyawisit Foundation’s coffers for the use in activities to help ailing monks at Srinagarind Hospital’s special ward for monks.
The body of the late abbot of Wat Bai Rai in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Dan Khun Thot district was among the 144 “Khru Yai” cadavers cremated in the royally-sponsored cremation rites at 20 temples on January 29.
About million people showed up to lay funeral flowers and pay their last respects to Luang Phor Koon.
One of the country’s most revered monks was given a unique temporary crematorium, featuring a papier mache casing shaped as a mythical giant bird Husadilingu (half bird and half elephant), erected at the Buddhamonton Isan religious venue within the Wat Nong Waeng compound in Muang Khon Kaen. 
Luang Phor Koon died at the age of 92 on May 16, 2015 and in his will he donated his body for medical research at KKU and requested that his body be cremated and the ashes scattered on the Mekong River. Twenty-six sacks of the Husadilingu casing ash will also be scattered on Mekong on Friday, February 8.
A white chedi inspired by Thai-Lao architectural style and resting on an octagonal platform would soon be built as a memorial atop the location of the late monk’s temporary crematorium, Charnchai said, adding that the university was in process of seeking permission to use the space for such purpose. 
The late monk’s belongings and the stainless steel urn that contain his ashes before are scattered on Mekong would be kept at the hospital room he used to stay in, pending the completion of the memorial site construction. 
The disciples also had agreed to hold a merit-making rite for the late monk every May 16 on the anniversary of his passing.