Preparations for a cremation ceremony in Seminyak Bali

Seminyak has its fair share of temples, being a dencely packed area. Across from Bintang supermarket, at the end of a gang (alley) is Pura Dalem Kahyangan. This morning the banjar men, including one of my neighbors, were standing outside, preparing bamboo partictions for an upcoming cremation ceremony. In Bali there are 3 main temples in each village, the Pura Puseh (temple in honor of the village founders), Pura Desa (village temple), Pura Dalem (temple of the dead), were cremation ceremonies are held. Just up the street at the junction of Jl. Seminyak and Jl. Dhyana Pura, is Pura Desa Seminyak. The Pura Dalem is always located at the kelod, or ‘unclean’ end of the village.

Large villages often have other temples as well including a Pura Subak (temple which honors the rice goddess, Dewi Sri) and a Pura Melanting (in honor of the gods in charge of business and wealth). As the men were working on the bamboo partitions, Balinese women walked down the street carrying baskets of offerings on their heads, including one of the ladies I know from Santa Fe bar. Not sure when the actual, funeral procession, or burning of the body will happen, but its a huge event for a Balinese family. A Balinese cremation ceremony is extremely expensive and a son must save for years, for his father’s cremation ceremony. The body is often buried in the ground, to be taken out for cremation when the son has the funds for the event.