Balinese Funeral Ceremony

Pura Dalem Agung (Credit: Clav)

Bali, one of 33 provinces in Indonesia, is not only an exotic tourist destination but also home to the majority of Hindus in that country—92% to be precise.  Along with this factoid comes a wealth of cultural knowledge that details a unique perspective on life and death.

Originally, the body of a loved one would be taken into the forest soon after death, where high humidity levels would break down the physical elements and release the soul back into nature.  Today, the funeral ceremony has evolved to be more complex, but it remains highly attuned to nature.  In Bali, the funeral takes place shortly after a loved one has passed.  First, family members bury the body at the Pura Dalem, or “temple of the dead,” which is a collection of temples facing the sea.

Before the funeral, the loved one’s body must be purified according to specific ceremonies.  According to tradition, this involves family members placing daily food offerings in a small shrine next to the grave and coconut leaves at the head and feet of the grave.  Placing the leaves is highly important as this ensures that the demon of the passed loved one will find its way back after wandering at night and will not wreak havoc on the community.

Pura Taman Ayun Bali Indonesia 2011 hindu temple (Wikipedia)

After the funeral ceremony, the cremation process known as the Ngaben can take place.  The length between a funeral and the Ngaben can vary depending on the financial status of the family.  This is a sad time for the family because it represents the loved one’s soul not yet ascending to heaven.  Sometimes the Ngaben can take place immediately after the funeral, while other times it can take years before the ceremony is complete.  The only exception exists for priests, who have the highest honor in Balinese society.  They are never buried and instead remain in their own home until their family can accumulate enough money for the Ngaben.