King Sinuhun PB XIII Hangabehi Dies, Surakarta Palace Holds Traditional Funeral Ceremony at Imogiri

SEMARANG - King Sinuhun Paku Buwono (PB) XIII Hangabehi of the Surakarta Palace passed away after undergoing treatment at Indriati Hospital, Solobaru, Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Sunday, November 2.

The King of Surakarta passed away at the age of 77. News of Sinuhun's death was confirmed by PB XIII's brother-in-law, R. Ay Febri Hapsari Dipokusumo.

"Yes, I ask for your prayers," he said via text message, as quoted by Antara, Monday, November 3.

Eddy S Wirabhumi, a relative of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace, Kanjeng Pangeran Haryo (KPH), who is also the king's brother-in-law, said he received the news at 7:40 a.m. Western Indonesian Time.

"Yes, I just received the information. He died at the hospital," he said.

He said the funeral rites would be in accordance with the customs of the Surakarta Palace.

"There will be a traditional ceremony, everything will follow traditional rites," he said.

The plan is for PB XIII's body to be buried at the Mataram Kings' Cemetery in Imogiri, Yogyakarta.

"(The funeral process) is currently under discussion, and he will be buried in Imogiri. Most likely tomorrow, Tuesday (November 4th), which coincidentally falls on Tuesday Kliwon. Most likely after 1:00 PM WIB. Before Imogiri, he will be laid out behind the main pavilion," he said.

Meanwhile, the body of PB XII's first son remains in the hospital. However, the situation at the Kamandungan Palace in Surakarta remains normal.

"We are currently in the process of releasing him (the body) from the hospital, while we await preparations," he said.