Mass cremation in Indonesia
Highlights
- Cremation of 117 dead on the banks of Padangbai port in Bali
- Some families waited more than five years for cremation
World News: Hundreds of people dressed in white shirts and traditional clothes gathered for the first time in their village for a mass cremation on the shores of the port of Padangbai in Bali, Indonesia. In Padangbai, these families were performing the last rites of 117 dead. He was earlier buried in a public cemetery, not far from the cremation site. Cremations are usually performed by families individually, but mass cremation lessens the cost burden. Some families waited more than five years for cremation. The funeral rites, as per Hindu rituals, began on Friday morning, when residents took out a procession to the beach with the bodies carrying a 20-foot-tall wooden tower and a coffin in the shape of a gaj meena (elephant-headed fish).
The relatives who attended the funeral had brought a picture of their dead member, which they put in the coffin. As the procession reached a huge space around the cemetery, relatives took the ashes and put them in a coffin before the funeral. Balinese Hindus believe that cremation liberates the soul of the dead so that they can start the next cycle of life. Eka Primavata, secretary of Karangasem cultural village, said, “We are performing a mass cremation, so we can do it together.”
Indonesia has a tradition of mass cremation of Hindus
The tradition of mass cremation of Hindus on the island of Bali in Indonesia has been going on for many years. Here people burn the dead bodies of many people together in a variety of ceremonies. The Hindus here believe that the dead are reborn after they are burnt. The poor family living here is unable to follow these traditions alone, so mass cremation is done here.
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