Interview
Border News Agency
Sittwe, October 3.

Residents of Sittwe say that funerals have become extremely costly under junta-controlled areas, making it difficult even to bury the dead.

A local woman, who personally experienced the hardship of arranging a funeral, told Border News Agency about the struggles faced by families in the city.

“They posted online that they could not afford the funeral expenses the funeral was from the Min Gan ward.”

“I used to be close with her in the past. Back then, when he was in a difficult situation, I had helped her. I had supported him with medical expenses, and even when he was struggling with hunger, I helped her.”

“He had saved my phone number wherever he went. I think that whether he was unwell or even facing death, he intended to call me for help. And so, the people from the village called me.”

“They said she had already passed away. They told me they couldn’t even afford to hold a funeral. I honestly didn’t think they would be facing such hardship.”

“So… I told them, ‘Alright, I will come.’’

“But in the end, I was too busy with work and couldn’t make it. Out of consideration, they didn’t call me again.”

“The next day, when I finally had time off from work and went to see. The funeral still hadn’t taken place because I hadn’t been able to come.”

“The funeral was left waiting in the rain, with only one umbrella.”

“Only then did I ask what the problem was, and they told me, ‘There’s no one here who can help.’”

“They were even struggling with hunger, so when money was collected in the village, most households couldn’t even contribute 500 or 1,000 kyats.”

“Right now, they said the coffin alone would cost 150,000 kyat, and the cremation expenses would be another 150,000 kyat. On top of that, transporting the body with villagers has become costly because fuel prices are so high—we’d need to rent at least three or four trailer jeeps. And the monks also have to be invited and given offerings to conduct the funeral rites.”

“For those keeping vigil over the body, they also need some betel leaves and cigarettes. Altogether, the expenses come to about six or seven lakhs, and if that amount can’t be managed, they say the funeral can’t proceed.”

“So… that’s a problem. I said I would help. I told them I would provide whatever is needed to make this funeral go smoothly.”

“The truth is the funeral was supposed to be that very day. Seeing them standing out in the rain with just a single umbrella until I arrived broke my heart.”

“Not everyone is like that. Even we don’t have that much money to spare.”

“Since we’re still educating our own children… but there are many people facing much greater hardships than us. So we help out of compassion for our fellow humans. We don’t see wealthy people stepping in to help.”