The latter half of August is an ideal time for visitors to Bali to witness some of the island's famous cremation ceremonies. August is considered the most auspicious time for cremations in the Balinese Hindu calendar, and they will be taking place especially in the eastern regencies of Klungkung, Gianyar and Karangasem.

Corpses buried up to five years previously will be dug up and placed in a temporary shrine in the cemetery to await their cremation day. Families with fresh corpses get together to burn them collectively in order to save on expenses, since individual ceremonies can take months of preparation and be very expensive. There is a characteristic Balinese sense of togetherness and solidarity.

Ceremonies are characterized by huge crowds swarming along the streets, with groups of men carrying gaudy platforms and life-size animal statues weaving along in a crazy path. The animals spin around riotously and tilt precariously. Unlike funerals in the West, Balinese cremations are accompanied by rowdy laughter, waterfights and much boisterous horseplay. But this is not mere tomfoolery; the shouting and whirling of the sarcophagus serves to confuse the evil spirits and prevent them from returning to haunt the family of the deceased.

When all is ready, the fires are started to burn the sarcophagi, which contain the remnants of the deceased. After the fires have died down, attendants douse the ashes with water and collect the Chinese coins, while family members collect scraps of ashes and bone from the bodies. Meanwhile, the lay priest ring his bell and chants mantras to help the release of the soul and aid it on its journey to heaven.

A Balinese cremation is an important event, and many of its elements actually have little to do with dead bodies. However, the offerings provide symbolic pleasure to the deified ancestors and to the spirits that will be shortly released to God. Most important, however, the offerings will entreat God to purify the spirit and return it to earth in an appropriately higher and purer form.