Dutch Celebrate Death Ceremony With Orgies

Photo illustration of a Dutch burial (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Living in luxury is another story from the Dutch colonial period in Jakarta. The lifestyles of the governor-generals who were fond of extravagance tended to be followed by all Dutch people and other ethnicities. Even in the funeral procession.

The death ceremonies of that era took the form of an event full of joy and laughter. Through this tradition the Dutch sent a message: death should be celebrated.

In its history, funeral ceremonies were not necessarily celebrated so lavishly. When the Dutch conquered Jayakarta and changed it to Batavia in 1619, the funeral ceremony was still simple.

However, in the 1650s, slowly the authorities in Batavia began to generalize luxury at wedding ceremonies to be adopted at funerals. This was none other than because in those days the average life of the Dutch was not that long.

The lack of adaptability to tropical climates is the cause. Then, regarding the loss of relatives becomes commonplace. As stated by Djoko Soekiman in the book Indis Culture: From the Company Age to the Revolution (2011). It was at that point that the atmosphere of sadness was transformed into full of joy, full of laughter, full of prestige and a place to show off.

Prestige event

The death ceremony for officials of the Dutch VOC trade partnership, for example. For the VOC, the funeral ceremony had to involve various parties, from family, clergy, civilian officials, the military, to coffin bearers or grave diggers. Therefore, the costs incurred were quite large due to the large number of processions.

“During the heyday of the VOC and the Dutch East Indies government, the ceremony associated with the death of a high-ranking official was actually a show of luxury, greatness and splendor. For the people of Batavia, the funeral ceremony is a ceremony full of prestige and pomp as well as being a moment of intimacy, "said Djoko Soekiman.

The luxury even started when the coffin was prepared. The bodies of the Dutch people who died were then laid down, fully clothed with all the signs of greatness. The coffin was also exposed to a luxurious touch.

The coffin was exquisitely decorated, with ornate carvings and beautiful inscriptions of praises decorated with the silver emblem. Not to mention the luxury horse carriage that brought him. More related to the luxury of horse-drawn carriages, we have reviewed it in the article "When the Horse-Carriage Becomes a Symbol of Wealth in Batavia"

"Like in the Netherlands. The coffins were carried by friends and acquaintances, but later by hired bearers. Meanwhile, the dignitaries only walked side by side. In 1734, permanent bearers who were paid a certain amount were used. They were assigned by the garrison, a corporal with 12 soldiers wearing black uniforms. There is also an officer appointed to lead the ceremony. So presumably, the procession will walk around the city to the cemetery, "he added.

Dutch graves (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

Careful preparation related to the funeral ceremony of the Dutch was also shown directly by one of the Governor-General of the VOC Willem van Outhoorn (1691-1704). Outhoorn, who spent his retirement in the city nicknamed the Queen of the East, seemed to be carefully preparing for his death.

“Outhoorn died on 27 November 1720 at the age of 85. He himself prepared the funeral ceremony and the coffin. The tombstones that he designed himself can now be seen on the walls in the Wayang Museum, ”added Windoro Adi in the book Batavia 1740: Combing Betawi Traces (2010).

Meanwhile, the funeral ceremony should end with a proper banquet. Therefore, the funeral ceremony is like a feast with a variety of food served, plus drinks and cigars.

Bernard HM Vlekke in the book Nusantara (1959) reveals that during the Dutch golden age in Batavia, cigars were an affordable item. A good Dutch cigar sells for a thousand three-dollar sticks. A thousand Havana (Cuban) cigars are only $ 10.

However, the Dutch in Batavia preferred pipe cigarettes to cigars. They also usually smoke pipes while attending funeral ceremonies, while enjoying excessive levels of liquor. Due to this tradition, many of the people who attend the funeral banquet get drunk. As a result, fighting among mourners was often unavoidable.

Assistance to the poor

Like a hereditary tradition, the lavish funeral ceremony set a new standard for the Dutch in the colony. As a result, they (Europeans) who could not afford it had to go into debt in order to hold a proper funeral ceremony for their deceased relatives. Even if they are unable, the Company itself will then spend the funds so that the death ceremony can take place complete with the procession of grieving groups and a proper meal.

“Before covering the cost of the funeral ceremony, the Church Council always investigates the value of the object left by the deceased, whether it is sufficient to pay for a proper burial ceremony. If the inheritance is inadequate, the ward head and neighbors are asked to donate. If it is not enough, usually a letter of incapacity is made by the neighbors which is strengthened with the signature of the ward chairman, "wrote Hendrik E. Neimeijer in the book Batavia: 17th Century Colonial Society (2012).

It was because of this that his close neighbors and the Company took over the financing of the burial ceremony. In addition, the Dutch colonial government also helped with the death ceremony for the native people who embraced the Christian religion.

However, it is only limited to providing burrows and coffins. This happened when one of the native people, Frans Fransz van Bengalen died around the 18th century.

“After these native Christians have closed their eyes forever, it is known from the inventory that the only assets left are three pairs of used jackets and trousers, a small teak chest and two teak chairs. All this was not enough to cover the burial costs, so friends and neighbors collected 10 to 12 ringgit so that a proper burial ceremony could be held, ”concluded Dutch historian Hendrik E. Neimeijer.