After the magnificent royal cremation of the leader of Ubud Monarch, a mass cremation took place at Padangtegal village in Ubud. Whilst mass cremation is not a rare occasion in Balinese tradition, it was the first time in the history when the traditional village authority covered all the costs. All 85 participants got five millions Rupiah allocation on the name of solidarity. Family members of the deceased gathered together in the event which also included mass metatah (teeth grinding) and otonan (birthday).

The ritual was started early in the morning in the village’s cemetery located in Monkey Forest attended by residents of four banjars which are Padangtegal Kaja, Padangtegal Kelod, Padangtegal Mekar Sari, and Padang Kencana. Tens of bodies and lembu (bull) cascaded for fire. The event also attracted visitors of Monkey Forest especially foreign tourists.

The leader of traditional village of Padang Tegal I Made Dana informed that mass cremation in his village is a regular event held every five years. However 2008 was the first time when the authority of traditional village financed the expenses. The fund was collected from 20% out of profit made by village-managed LPD (the village’s commercial financial institution). Within the last five years the business yielded 650 millions Rupiah in profit.

In addition to cremation and all related rituals for 85, the event also included teeth grinding for 176, and birthday of 231, all are family members of the deceased. Financing flown by the authority was intended as an aid to the poor which financially were not able to financed the ceremony by themselves. Expecting lasting profitability of the business, the scheme is expected to continue in the future.