Bali Cremation

Hindu funerals in Bali are intensely suggestive ceremonies of great cultural and religious significance. The funerals are centered on the cremation of the body requires a complex apparatus and characterized by a great result known as ngaben or pelebon. This practice is considered essential if the 5 elements that make up the microcosm of the human body should be returned to their original residence, the macrocosm of the universe. The five elements, Panca Maha Bhuta, I am the earth (pertiwi), water (apah), Fire (Teja), Air (Bayu), and ether (akasa).

Since the primordial dimension can only be achieved through water and fire, the ashes are scattered in the waters of the sea or, if the distance is too great, in a river. The funeral ceremony is generally led by a priest and spread over a wide range of gifts. For the occasion, a great form of bullock structure is built of wood and then completely covered with white drapes, if the deceased belongs to a priestly caste – in black. There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese day life but often the last ceremony – cremation – is the largest. A Balinese cremation can be an extraordinary, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In reality it is often so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During this period the body was buried temporarily.

Of course one has to be auspicious day chosen for the cremation and a big cremation can be very costly to many less wealthy people may take the opportunity to join a larger cremation and sending their dead on their way at the same time . Brahmans, however, must be cremated immediately. Besides being yet another occasion for Balinese noise and confusion is a great opportunity to observe the incredible energy the Balinese put into creating real works of art which are totally ephemeral. Much more of a body is burnt to the cremation. The body is carried from the burial ground (or the house of the deceased person, if and ‘immediate’ cremation) to the cremation ground in a large, multi-tiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk, cloth, mirrors, flowers and anything bright and colorful you can think. The tower is carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the group size, depending on the importance of the deceased and, therefore, the size of the tower. The funeral of a former Rajah of high priest may require hundreds of men to tote the tower.

A long journey to the cremation ground certain precautions must be taken to ensure that the deceased’s spirit does not find its way back home. Loose spirits around the house can be a real nuisance. To ensure that this does not happen you need to get the spirits confused as to the place, which narrows with the tower, running around the circle, spinning around, throwing water at it, making the journey to the cremation, but nothing land a majestic funeral crawl.

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