Funerary or funeral pyre?

The letter concerned the proper term for the architectural structure to be used for the royal funeral ceremony of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. It was in response to a news story published on January 22 about the starting date for the construction of the structure.

The letter says: "I think it might be more appropriate to use the term 'funerary pyre' instead of 'crematorium', one being a sacred temporary wooden structure, the other a permanent and utilitarian building in masonry."

As we know, people from different cultures hold different ceremonies for sending the spirits of their loved ones to heaven. "Funeral" is a general term for a service or ceremony that is held for someone who has passed away, and their body is either buried or cremated, depending on the belief of the deceased.

In Thai culture, after a certain number of evenings of religious services, the body is cremated, ie burned in a crematorium. This ceremony is called a cremation.

The point Dr Sumet expresses is the fact that "crematorium" is a permanent structure built with masonry, bricks or pieces of stone stuck together with cement.

But the structure for the coming royal funeral, which follows a tradition that has been practised in Thai culture for centuries, is a temporary structure built with wood, so it would be more appropriate to call it a "pyre".

However, with all due respect to Dr Sumet, the preferred form in English is the compound noun rather than the adjective, and you will find it more common to read and hear "funeral pyre".

By Dr English

drenglish_7@hotmail.com