After passing away at the age of 69, rock icon, David Bowie, requested in his will that he be cremated in Bali. In his 20-page will, filed in New York on 29 January, the singer is reported to have written that his body be shipped to Bali and “cremated there in accordance with the Buddhist rituals.” “If that is not practical,” Bowie noted in his will, which was prepared in 2004, “then I direct that my executors shall arrange for my remains to be cremated and my ashes scattered in Bali.”
Back in the 1980s, David Bowie and Iggy Pop vacationed in Bali. During his stay, Bowie had the opportunity to observe a Ngaben—the traditional Balinese cremation ceremony he was likely referring to in his will. Most Balinese practice a unique form of Hinduism which mixes traditional Hindu beliefs with Buddhism and local animist religions. This religious heritage has given rise to rituals practiced only in Bali, such as the Ngaben. The ritual’s name is derived from the word ngabuin or ngabu, which means “turn to ash.” After consulting with a priest to determine the proper day of the ceremony, the body of the deceased is placed inside a coffin. This coffin is placed inside a sarcophagus in the shape of an ox (Lembu) or in a tower-like papier-mache structure (Wadah). This sarcophagus is then taken to the cremation site in a joyful procession, which is almost never walked in a straight line. This is done to confuse evil spirits and keep them away from the deceased.
After reaching the cremation site, a priest oversees the burning of the body. The fire is viewed as necessary element to free the spirit from the body and enable reincarnation. Finally, 12 days after the cremation, the ashes are scattered into the sea, or a river leading to the sea in a final act of purification. This is one of the most important ceremonies for the Balinese, as the deceased will reincarnate or find final rest in Moksha (freeing from the cycle of reincarnation and death).
According to Bowie’s death certificate, his body was cremated in New Jersey on January 12, two days after he died at the age of 69.
Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest website/Derry Moore
