You might hear the music first — gongs, chanting, a procession winding through the street. You stop, expecting a festival. But this isn’t a celebration of life. It’s a farewell.
Ngaben is one of Bali’s most important — and often misunderstood — rituals. To the Balinese, it’s not just a funeral. It’s a spiritual release. A duty. A bridge between this life and the next.
Most tourists will never witness one. But if you do, it’s something you won’t forget.
What is Ngaben in Bali?
Ngaben is a Balinese cremation ceremony. It’s the ritual used to cremate the dead and release their soul (atma) so it can either reincarnate or reach moksha — spiritual liberation.
In Balinese belief, the soul cannot move on until the body has been properly purified by fire. That’s what makes Ngaben essential. It’s not optional or symbolic — it’s a duty.
Despite being a funeral, Ngaben isn’t treated with the kind of silence or solemnity you might expect from a Western perspective. It’s a loud, elaborate, and highly visual event, full of processions, music, and ceremonial acts.
In Balinese Hinduism, death is not the end — it’s a transition. And Ngaben is the vehicle that gets the soul there.
What is the Meaning of Ngaben?
Ngaben is about purification and release. The word comes from api, meaning fire — the sacred element used to cleanse the body and free the soul from worldly ties.
In Balinese Hindu belief, the soul doesn’t move on automatically. It lingers until the right rituals are performed. Ngaben clears that path, allowing the soul to reincarnate or, in rare cases, reach moksha — freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
It’s also a duty. Families carry out Ngaben not just for the deceased, but for their ancestors. It’s a final act of devotion that restores spiritual balance and honors the soul’s journey.
To outsiders, Ngaben might look like a dramatic public event. But for Balinese families, it’s personal, sacred, and necessary.
When and Where Does Ngaben Take Place?
Ngaben doesn’t happen right after death. It can take weeks, months, or even years (rare). The delay usually comes down to money — Balinese cremation is expensive — and timing, since Balinese priests use a ritual calendar to choose an auspicious day.
The cremation ceremony usually starts at the family home before moving to a public cremation site. In wealthier families, it might be a private event.
In others, multiple families join together for a mass cremation to share costs. Either way, it’s public, loud, and impossible to miss if you happen to be nearby.
What might look like a parade with music, flowers, and giant bull-shaped coffins is actually a deeply spiritual process — one step closer to letting the soul move on.
What Happens During a Ngaben Ceremony?
Balinese cremation ceremonies aren’t just quiet affairs. It starts with preparations at the family compound, where a symbolic coffin — often shaped like a bull or temple tower — is built to carry the body.
Offerings are made, prayers are led by a priest, and family members dress in ceremonial white. The atmosphere is spiritual, but not silent. There’s gamelan music, chanting, and sometimes what feels like controlled chaos.
Then comes the procession. The body is placed inside the decorated coffin and carried through the streets to the cremation site. The coffin is spun at intersections to confuse evil spirits — a detail that might sound mythical, but is taken seriously.
At the cremation ground, the coffin is placed on a large pyre and set ablaze. This is the core of Ngaben. Fire transforms the body, frees the soul, and marks the spiritual release. It’s intense, emotional, and very public.
To a Western eye, it might not look like a funeral — no hushed voices, no all-black dress code. But that’s the point. In Bali, death isn’t the end. It’s just the next step.
If you want to see what a real Balinese cremation ceremony looks like, here’s a short video that captures the atmosphere and process: Uncensored Balinese Cremation Funeral.
Attenting a Ngaben: Can Tourists Go?
Yes — but only sometimes, and never as the main event.
Ngaben is a family affair. If it’s a private ceremony, you won’t be invited unless you’re personally connected to the family. But in the case of large public or village-wide cremations, tourists can sometimes observe — respectfully — from the sidelines.
These ceremonies are not performances, but locals are generally welcoming if you’re curious and behave appropriately.
There’s no ticket booth or schedule to follow. You won’t find Ngaben on a “Top 10 Things to Do in Ubud” list — and if you do, run. That’s not how it works.
If you’re lucky enough to witness one, dress modestly, keep your distance, and don’t shove a camera in someone’s face. You’re watching a sacred ritual, not a cultural photo op.
And no, you don’t need to bring a gift — just your respect and a basic understanding of what you’re witnessing go a long way.
How Long Does a Balinese Cremation Ceremony Last?
There’s no fixed timeline. A full Ngaben ceremony can last several hours — sometimes most of the day. The actual cremation may be just one part of it, but the entire process includes preparation, prayers, processions, and post-cremation rituals.
If you stumble across one, don’t expect it to be “over by lunch.” Balinese ceremonies follow spiritual timing, not convenience. And no one’s checking their watch.
Some families even extend the rites across multiple days, especially if the cremation is part of a larger family or village ritual.
Ngaben Dress Code: What to Wear to a Balinese Cremation
If you’re invited — or happen to respectfully observe a public Ngaben — dress like you’re entering a temple, not heading to the beach.
That means covered shoulders, a sarong and sash (both men and women), and muted colors. While black isn’t required, it’s always safer to avoid bright or flashy clothing. White is common, especially among family members, because it symbolizes purity.
Leave the flip-flops and “Bali vibes” tank tops at home. This is a religious event, not a sunset happy hour.
Ngaben Etiquette: What You Should and Shouldn’t Do
Same rules apply as the Bali Temple Etiquette: if you’re attending or observing a Balinese cremation ceremony, respect is everything.
Do:
- Dress appropriately (sarong, sash, covered shoulders).
- Keep your distance unless invited closer.
- Stay quiet and unobtrusive during prayers or offerings.
- Ask before taking photos — and even then, be discreet.
Don’t:
- Treat it like a tourist attraction.
- Walk in front of priests or ceremonial offerings.
- Use a drone or big camera setup unless you’ve been given permission.
- Interrupt the procession or ceremony for a better angle.
Bottom line? If you’re not sure whether something’s okay — just don’t do it. This is one of the most sacred rites in Balinese culture. Treat it that way.
How Much Does It Cost to Be Cremated in Bali?
Ngaben isn’t cheap. A private cremation ceremony can cost anywhere from IDR 30 million to over 150 million (roughly $2,000–$10,000 USD), depending on how elaborate it is. That includes the cremation tower (bade), bull effigy (lembu), priest fees, offerings, food for guests, gamelan musicians, and ceremonial attire.
Because of the cost, many Balinese families don’t cremate their loved ones immediately. Instead, the body is temporarily buried and cremated later — sometimes years later — during a communal Ngaben. These mass cremations, organized by the banjar (local community), can reduce the cost significantly, often to around IDR 5–10 million per person.
There’s no one-size-fits-all price tag. Balinese cremation ceremonies are tailored to each family’s financial capacity, but the spiritual value is the same — whether it’s a lavish solo event or a modest group ceremony.
Why Ngaben Matters in Balinese Hinduism
While Hinduism across India and Southeast Asia recognizes cremation as a path to spiritual release, Ngaben is uniquely Balinese in its form and meaning. It’s not just about burning the body — it’s about restoring harmony between the seen (sekala) and unseen (niskala) worlds.
Balinese Hinduism places huge importance on balance — between humans, nature, and the divine. A soul left in limbo is considered a disruption to that balance. Ngaben is the ritual that repairs it.
It also reinforces the Balinese concept of collective duty. This isn’t just a personal farewell — it’s a family’s responsibility to the soul, the community, and the ancestral line. Skipping Ngaben isn’t just frowned upon — it’s seen as spiritually irresponsible.
So while cremation is common in many Hindu cultures, the scale, symbolism, and social expectation of Ngaben make it a defining ritual of Balinese spiritual life.
FAQs about Ngaben and Balinese Cremation
What is Ngaben in Bali?
Ngaben is the traditional Balinese cremation ceremony. It’s performed to release the soul from the physical body so it can reincarnate or reach spiritual liberation (moksha).
Do Balinese Hindus cremate their dead?
Yes. Cremation is the preferred and most spiritually significant method of handling the dead in Balinese Hinduism. Burial is sometimes temporary if the family needs time to prepare for Ngaben.
What happens when someone dies in Bali?
The body is either temporarily buried or kept in a special holding structure while the family prepares for the Ngaben ceremony. The timing depends on finances and the Balinese ritual calendar.
What do Balinese do with the dead?
They cremate the body through Ngaben. This ritual includes prayers, offerings, processions, and fire, which is believed to purify the body and release the soul.
How do they cremate people in Bali?
The body is placed inside an ornate coffin (often shaped like a bull or temple tower) and carried in a procession to a cremation site. A priest performs rituals before the coffin is burned on a ceremonial pyre.
Is Ngaben a public event?
Sometimes. Large village cremations are often open to the public, but smaller ceremonies may be private and family-only. If you’re not invited, observe respectfully from a distance.
Can tourists attend a Ngaben ceremony?
If the ceremony is public or part of a communal village event, tourists may observe — respectfully. Private ceremonies are not open to outsiders unless you’re personally invited.
What is the cremation festival in Bali?
The term “cremation festival” usually refers to large-scale communal Ngaben ceremonies where multiple families cremate loved ones on the same day. These events can feel celebratory but are still deeply sacred.
What is the meaning of Ngaben?
Ngaben means purification through fire. It’s a spiritual duty meant to cleanse the body and release the soul so it can move on to its next life or reach liberation.
How much does it cost to be cremated in Bali?
Private ceremonies can cost anywhere from IDR 30 million to over 150 million. Communal cremations are more affordable, sometimes as low as IDR 5–10 million per person.
Comments
Have you witnessed a Balinese cremation ceremony, or do you have questions about how the Ngaben works? Share your thoughts or experiences below — I read every comment and do my best to reply.
