According to the Sun newspaper on February 20, the Indonesian Torayas mummified the remains of their dead families in their homes and cared for them like living people.
There are about 1 million Torayas in Malaysia, most of whom live in south Sulawesi, who believe that after death the soul remains in the house, so the dead can get food, clothing, water and cigarettes.
The Torayans would apply a chemical solution called formalin (a mixture of formaldehyde and water) to the body of the deceased to prevent the body from decaying. At the same time, a lot of dried plants are stored next to the corpse to cover up the odor.
For them, a well-preserved remain brings good luck, so people go to great lengths to ensure that the deceased is kept in tip-top condition. Then wrap them in blankets and put them on the bed, or on the bed of a wealthy family. They stay there until the funeral, sometimes for years or even decades.
"My mother died suddenly, so we weren't ready for her to leave, and I couldn't accept burying her prematurely." Yohana Palangda, a Toraya woman, told National Geographic.
Funerals of the Torayas cost huge sums of money, usually 700 million Indonesian rupiah (about 334,000 yuan) for lower castes, while those of the higher castes cost more than IDR 3.5 billion (about 1.67 million yuan).
Many low-income rural Toraya earn only about IDR 1 million (about 477 yuan) a month, and they often take out bank loans to complete funerals. In recent years, young people have moved to the city, and people have become increasingly unable to afford funerals.
Dozens of buffaloes are also purchased to accompany the dead. This marked the official death of the man, and the buffalo would help them ascend to heaven. These funerals tend to be more of a celebration than a gloomy affair.
Even if the deceased has been buried in a mausoleum or stone tomb, this will not be the last time their loved ones will face each other.
A ritual called Ma'nene (Caring for Ancestors) is usually held in August. The dead are removed from the coffin, cleaned of insects and dirt, dressed them in new clothes, and taken to the places they miss the most.
Friends and family will be reunited with their dead loved ones and enjoy a feast to commemorate the occasion. This is also when the younger generation can meet their ancestors for the first time. They usually pose for a photo with the remains, or take a selfie.
Eventually, the deceased is sent back to the coffin, and relatives leave them with new gifts, such as watches, glasses or jewelry.
It is believed that the death rituals of these Torayas began in 9 AD. Today, this practice is accompanied by Christian elements that include the recitation of the Lord's Prayer and the reading of the Bible. This Christian practice originated in the 16th century when Dutch missionaries discovered Indonesia and introduced the religion to the local Torayas in search of nutmeg and cloves.