The Indonesian Culture of Living With Ghosts

In Tana Toraja, death is not a final goodbye. Families often keep the bodies of their deceased relatives in their homes for years, treating them as if they are simply resting or sick.

This unique tradition stems from the belief that the soul remains near the body until an elaborate funeral ceremony can be performed. During this waiting period, the deceased are offered food and water daily and are addressed as if they were still part of the household. Only after the family saves enough money for a lavish celebration is the relative finally laid to rest in a cliffside grave. It is a profound, albeit surprising, approach to grief that reframes the boundary between the living and the dead.