Bali's open-air burials endure despite Covid-19 crisisFor centuries Bali's Trunyanese people have left their dead to decompose in the open air, the bodies placed in bamboo cages until only skeletons remain, a ritual they haven't given up even as the Covid-19 pandemic upends burial practices globally. "We're afraid of getting Covid-19," said Arjuna, but added there was no suggestion of stopping the open-air burial process. - Skull Island -It is a short boat ride to their open-air cemetery from tiny Trunyan village, overlooked by volcano Mount Batur and a sprawling Hindu temple carved out of volcanic rock. There are 11 cages for the corpses -- placed close to a fragrant banyan tree that hides the putrid smell of death, locals say. But these open-air burials are now so rooted in the culture that few expect much to change in Trunyan, even as the pandemic ravages the world.

Source: Bangkok Post June 16, 2020 02:26 UTC