Ngaben

The Ngaben ceremony or Ngaben cremation is a Hindu funeral ritual. It is a significant moment in the life of Hindus. Paradoxically "in life" because Hindus believe that the soul's life does not end with death; only its physical shell has died. If the body is not burnt, the soul cannot free itself from the body, reincarnate and live another life according to its present karma, or possibly unite with the supreme god Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.

The local priest will determine the day of the cremation ceremony for the deceased's family, provided the family has sufficient funds for the cremation. This is a costly event; many families must save and prepare for the ceremony for months or years. In the meantime, the body is usually temporarily buried in a grave in the cemetery, which tends to be on the temple's grounds, and then cremated in a mass cremation of Ngaben Masal. However, many times the families of the deceased also keep the body at home for a few days (for example, in a freezer) so that family members and neighbors from the village can say goodbye.

On the day of the ceremony and cremation, the deceased is moved to a coffin Bade, which is placed in a box Patulangan, often according to the caste of the dead. The shape of a black bull (Lembu) for a man of the highest Brahman caste, and a white cow may be for a woman of the same caste; for others, the shape of a temple (Wadah), a lion, or an elephant, etc. After the last farewell, a man in traditional dress carries the coffin box to the place of the actual cremation Kuburan. During the journey, the group does not move in a straight line, and at major intersections, they turn or shake the coffin three times to confuse the evil spirits. The parade is accompanied by Gamelan music and singing.

On the spot, the coffin with the casket is then set on fire to the sound of Balinese battle music Beleganjur, which symbolizes the soul's battle with the evil underworld to reach the carefree "upper realm." Tears of sorrow should not be shed during the ceremony as they may prevent the soul from reaching the next life. Twelve days after the cremation, the family collects the deceased's ashes from the site in a coconut and scatters them in the ocean or river, returning the remains to this element.

Other names: Pelebon, Pitra Yadyna