Attending a Balinese cremation ceremony is an unforgettable experience. If you have the opportunity to be present at a Balinese funeral ceremony, be sure to go. The spirit of cremation in Bali will stay with you for quite some time.
A Balinese Cremation Ceremony| What to Expect
The flames leap skyward blazing a trail to the heavens.
The ferocious heat causes spectators to make a hasty retreat as the twelve oxen and lions flare, pop and eventually burn to a crisp.
I am in the midst of a Balinese cremation ceremony, a ngaben, the most important ceremony of every Balinese life.
Bali,
with its Hindu traditions,
leaves lasting imprints
on one’s consciousness.
They take time to understand
and
cause an examination of one’s beliefs,
lifestyle,
and heart.
Standing amidst the blazing flames of this Balinese cremation ceremony at the Ubud temple, I am immersed in the most intimate ritual. After all, it is one of life’s eternal mysteries, this journey to the afterlife.
Read More: Life In Ubud – Attitude and Travel
Balinese Cremation Ceremony, The Ngaben | Turning to Ash
In Bali at the time of death, there is a funeral. Months or often years later, the Balinese cremation ceremony occurs.
It is the family’s responsibility to ensure that a cremation ceremony is held. When the family can afford it and the priest dictates a suitable day based on the Balinese calendar, the Balinese cremation ceremony occurs. Most families will choose to have a group ngaben to share financial responsibilities.
To prepare for the Balinese death ritual, the ngaben, magnificent oxen (or other animals) are carved by skilled carpenters and elaborately covered in velvet and gold decorations. Yes, real gold. Hence the grand expense for this sacred ritual.
A Balinese cremation ceremony is a celebration of the loved one’s soul passing from the human world to that of the spirit realm. And a celebration it is – hundreds of exquisitely dressed Balinese, tourists in sarongs, music playing, incense burning and an overwhelming sense of spirituality, ritual and community.
Once the first pyre is ablaze, all attention turns to the second Balinese cremation ceremony to be held this day, the Royal cremation.
Royal Cremation Ceremony,
The Pelebon | Turning to Ash
For royalty, a Royal cremation ceremony is held quite soon after death. This is an elaborate cremation ceremony that takes hundreds of people to organize.
The king’s mother had recently passed away. For this Royal cremation ceremony, everything has come to a standstill in Ubud. Crowds gather along the roads and at the temple to honour this remarkable life passage.
For the Royal cremation ceremony, a lone rider sits precariously atop an enormous bull as he is carried by hundreds of men through the streets. This hollow, gilded bull arrives at the Ubud temple and will graciously receive the Royal mother’s coffin.
Part of the Balinese death rituals for royalty, is a nine-layer tower called a bade, which carries the royal body from the palace to the cremation ground. It too is carried by a team of men.
Such is its height that the power lines are turned off and have to be raised to a higher level to ensure safe passage through the streets.
There are gamelans playing,
drums beating,
a dancing parade,
offerings
and singing.
This Royal cremation ceremony
is
festive,
with a whisper of solemnity.
Through a great team effort, the bull and tower are lined up. The royal coffin is transferred into the bull and blessed.
The majestic bull will be burned later that evening. In the days that follow, the ashes will be gathered and delivered to the sea. This, the last step in a Balinese cremation ceremony.
I leave the Ubud Temple knowing it has been a privilege to partake in the Balinese cremation ceremonies. Not fully understanding what I have witnessed, I know in my heart that these cremation ceremonies will be with me forever.
Faith and community are woven intricately with tradition and history. This is the essence of Bali and it leaves its mark.
“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.”
Rumi
More Travel Info
The Bali cremation I attended was at Pura Dalem Puri, one of Ubud’s Temples on August 20, 2016.
Wherever you are in Bali, ask around to see if there is a Balinese cremation ceremony scheduled.
Cremations in villages may not be so elaborate as the one described above.
It is mandatory to wear a sarong and sash.
Like this post? Pin it!
What a fabulous experience to get to be part of. Do you know what percentage of the population has enough money to have the ceremonies?
I actually don’t. But it would be an interesting fact to find out!
When people have not enough money by themselves they can be allowed to ‘hike’ with a big ceremony sothat the deceased still have a decent cremation but not all the costs. I witnessed several of these occasions. A very social event and attended by many.
Thank you for sharing this important detail.
Is every cremation like this or only people who are wealthy do this? This is one way to go out in style. If I was watching, I would love to check out the burning. There is something about fires at cremations that gives the whole experience a wonderful feeling. I call it letting the soul free.
Absolutely it’s all about setting the soul free. I spoke to several locals who were working merely to save and pay for their future cremations. My guess is that it is all Hindus’ desire to be cremated as such.
What an interesting blog post topic. Fascinating to read that the cremation ceremony happens so long after burial. And that the remains are dug up and then burned. But oh what a send off to the next life they get! We will definitely want to view one of these ceremonies if we return to Bali. Thanks for sharing this!
I learned so much from the locals that were happy to share their culture and beliefs. It was a unique experience.
Wow…real gold! Yes, I would say that is a very expensive ceremony. Also I find it quite fascinating and would definitely want to attend one if given the chance. I love that tourists are allowed (and sounds like encouraged) to attend and required to wear the traditional dress. I would love to do that! How cool you got to witness a royal cremation! Your photos are fantastic!
Thanks, Heather. Yes seeing the cremation was amazing and then the royal cremation added a whole other dimension to the festivities.
I’ve seen the funeral processions in Bali many times but have never felt it appropriate to get too close. We have seen the entire ceremony in Nepal which is also Hindu and quite fascinating although you do need a strong stomach at times. It’s easy to see why the Balinese people are so peaceful and calm which comes through in all facets of their culture.
I was invited to this celebration which literally brought Ubud to a standstill. The entire community was out and tourists were more than welcome, as long as one wore the appropriate dress. It was quite the experience to see the families dressed in the same colour clothing sending off their loved ones with smiles and laughter.
Balinese traditions are both entertaining and intriguing. I first read about them in Vicky Baum’s essential book on Bali, and I had to visit the islands of the gods after that! Great photography!
Thank you, Delphine. Yes, the Balinese traditions are fascinating. I never did read Baum’s book. Perhaps I should and then return to Bali for another exquisite experience.
I love learning about different cultures and their traditions. It is fascinating and really special that the Hindu faith still practices their ceremonies. How wonderful and inclusive it is to bond as a community, along with tourists, during these times. You must feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.
Being invited to the cremation (although you didn’t need an invitation) was very special. It is a ceremony that has stayed with me over the years and I do indeed feel very fortunate to have witnessed it.
Wow, this is a stunning aspect of Bali that I’ve never read or heard about before! It’s really interesting how long it can be before the person passes away and the cremation takes place. It really does look like more of a celebration of life than a somber occasion, and it must’ve been amazing to witness.
It really was a celebration. All the family members were dressed in the same celebratory coloured outfits and smiles were everywhere!
So much care goes into the ceremony and your photos really show how beautiful it is. This is something I would definitely want to experience in Bali.
The lead up to the ceremony was spectacular. The carved and decorated bulls were lining the streets. It was unbelievable.