Free funerals for Thai poor

Low-income families in the Thai capital, Bangkok, are being offered freefunerals as part of a scheme to help poorer people -- known as Thais Help Thais -- during the country's economic crisis.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and forty Buddhist temples have agreed to provide a coffin, a prayer service and cremation at no cost.

A day-long funeral usually costs about two-hundred dollars though wealthy Thais often spend far more on funerals lasting several days.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service