Sirawich “Jo” Chanthaburanan drowned on June 6 in the US state of North Carolina while trying to save a friend.

Jessada and Worawichit Chanthaburanan were preparing for a funeral service – a final farewell to their only son – at Wat Thammajak in Muang district.

The family and friends decorated Dhamma Sangwet pavilion with flowers and a vinyl board displaying words of mourning and information about the 18-year-old schoolboy’s life along with the sign “Welcome Home, My Hero”.

Many wreaths from Sirawich’s family and friends were on display, along with one from the Buddhachinaraj Rotary Club that sponsored Sirawich’s trip to the US.

The family requested that the ceremony on Friday be held only among them and close friends. But they said members of the public could attend the boy’s bathing rite and Abhidhamma prayers from June 24-30 before the cremation on next Saturday, July 1.