Cremation in Bali

Bali is a very unique island in the universe. Bali is well-known because of the beautiful landscape, holly ceremony in Pura (temple), wedding ceremony, sunset in Kuta beach, sacred mountain, fire dance, handicraft, gamelan (Balinese music), also recognized with the majestic cremation ceremony. 


The tradition in Bali is started from birth until death. If you have free time in the near future don’t forget to take a tour to Bali, the last paradise on earth. 


You will see a lot of uniqueness of the Balinese ritual and ceremony. Make sure that you are not just stay in the Balinese Hotel in Nusa Dua or a beautiful villa in Ubud or Candi Dasa. You must take chance to see around Bali. Please ask your Balinese guide to find out about the ritual such as ceremony in Balinese temple or the cremation. You will enjoy a lot of Balinese art and culture directly with your own eyes.

The cremation procession and associated ceremonies are important rituals in the Hindu rites of passage. The bodies of the deceased will be carried through the streets of Ubud (or other village) by hundreds or thousands of local people on top of a nine-tiered tower called ‘bade’. The procession will be accompanied by an elaborately decorated and venerated bull effigy (Lembu) and a mythical dragon-like creature (Naga Banda), with a five meter-long tail. The naga is reserved for only the elders of the Royal family and is thus seldom seen in cremation ceremonies. The decoration is not always the same. It’s depending on the family custom and the background of each family. The royal family will show you the most complete and big ceremony. 

Ngaben is the principle funeral rite in Bali's Hindu society which aims to return the remains of the deceased to the elements from which all living things are created and to release the soul from all ties to this life. 

Ngaben is comprised of many rituals, culminating in the burning of the corpse in an animal-shaped sarcophagus, as well as the burning of the cremation tower (bade) whose sole purpose is to transport the corpse from home to the cremation grounds. 

The Ngaben is not a sad event, it can even be happy, it is a way to make the spirit of the dead happy, and to avoid disturbing him by crying. However it requires an enormous amount of time, energy, and money! All of the relatives and friends share the cost but often months, or even years, will be required to gather enough money and to make the mountains of offerings involved. One solution is for ordinary community members to join the funerals of wealthier individuals of high caste, or to organize Ngaben massal (mass cremation) among the villagers, to reduce the costs. 

What are you waiting for? Go to the nearest travel agent today and book a beautiful hotel in Bali. You can choose a front beach hotel, villa in a village plus room with a view such as river view, Mountain View, lake view or a simple city hotel. Don’t forget bring your digital camera and video camera. You will earn full of memories in Bali.