When a new spirit house is purchased, the old one cannot just be tossed aside or thrown out together with the household trash, but needs be neatly disposed of against the base of a sacred banyan tree or in the corner of a caring temple compound, where it is believed that benevolent spirits will guard it.

Some places host so many abandoned spirit houses that they look like reel spirit house graveyards and people will not pass by without making a respectful wai in its direction or honking their horn if driving a car.