BANGKOK (AP) - The funeral for Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is an elaborate, intricately planned event lasting five days. The ceremonies and processions are steeped in Buddhism, tradition and ...

Ken died in Phnom Penh. Before the fire of the cremation oven was lit, I talked to a large crowd — about his travels, his growing up in Michigan, our lives in Oregon and Cambodia, and his love of Star ...

At the beginning of the funeral, a Japanese bell rang and incense sticks were lighted. The sound of an oversized mallet striking a bowl-shaped bell and the distinctive smell of burning sandalwood were ...

Comedian Garry Shandling will be ordained a monk as he’s laid to rest in an intricate Buddhist funeral service next month. The late comic — who was a devout Buddhist — arranged the ceremony before he ...

The Jewish-born comedian had secretly arranged the elaborate service, in which he will be ordained as a monk. (JTA) — Garry Shandling, the award-winning American Jewish comedian who died last week at ...

TOKYO (Reuters) – A Japanese company has introduced a new role for SoftBank’s humanoid robot “Pepper” – a Buddhist priest for hire at funerals. Chanting sutras in a computerized voice while tapping a ...