In 19th- century Siam; people of all ranks were cremated rather than buried; with the exception of criminals; babies and women who had died in childbirth. Funereal festivities including Chinese theatre and musical shows were held alongside chanting by Buddhist monks to celebrate the reincarnation of the soul as per Buddhist belief. Nearly 95 percent of the Thai population are Theravada Buddhists; though many would argue that Siamese Buddhism has integrated with animist folk beliefs as well as Chinese religions.