Men attending the body in the cremation tower and offering water and gifts to the deceased.
When a Balinese dies, it is believed that he must undergo certain rituals in order for his spirit to be released.
The most important of the rituals is that of cremation, but it is so costly that many people either delay the ceremonies or go into massive debt to perform the rituals associated with the cremation.
Before cremation, the body must be prepared for burial.
The corpse is than buried for a certain period of time but no longer than 3 years.
On the appointed time of the cremation, the family (or if several families cannot afford the cremation ceremony and rituals, a group cremation will occur and a cremation tower will be build and elaborate offerings will be prepared.
Ubud, Bali 2013
©Ingetje Tadros www.ingetjetadros.com