For many people, the worst part about losing a loved one is the fact that you never see them again. Once they are buried, that’s it. The person is gone forever, and the only way we can see them is in pictures and our memories.

Not so for the Toraja people, who despite the fact they are Christians, still adhere to old traditions rooting trace back to animistic beliefs. Death is barely a parting and during the ritual of Ma’nene’ clans visit the tombs of deceased family members, to clean and groom their mummified bodies, dress them in new clothes and replenish the coffins with personal belongings. Ma’nene’ is like a family reunion and is a chance for the whole family to visit and express love for their deceased family members.