7. Some Indonesians Keep Dead Bodies in Their Homes For Weeks
In the highlands of the remote Indonesian island of Sulawesi, some inhabitants leave dead bodies in their homes for weeks and continue to act as if they are still alive and members of the household. Their bodies may be lying down in bed, sitting in a chair, or even standing upright. Family members bring them food and talk to them as if they are still present. During this time, the bodies are sprayed with a formaldehyde solution to prevent putrefaction; it also causes the skeletons to dehydrate and mummify. After a few weeks, the corpses are placed into coffins, but they may remain in the home for months until the funeral takes place. The Torajan people, who carry out this process, believe that the soul of the deceased remains in the house long after death.
In a ceremony known as ma’nene, the bodies are paraded through the streets in a type of second funeral. The masses may be dug up from the crypt or wherever they were buried before being ceremonially cleaned, dressed, and put on display by family members. While many Westerners might find the death and grieving process of the Torajan people unhealthy at best or even demented at worst, the people have established their own method for how they let go of the dearly departed and keep them a part of their lives. When the bodies are put on display, family members feel proud.