DENPASAR (indo.com): At least 12 foreigners who died in Bali in the first months of 2002 were cremated here, showing an increasing trend in cremation request.

According to the Head of 'Biro Jasa Antar Bangsa, Gus Sumastra, 12 of 15 foreign visitors who died in Bali during the period of January-February 2002, were cremated in Bali. The rest were sent back to their countries by commercial planes at the request of their families. Compared to the preceding years, the number of foreign visitors requesting to be cremated in Bali is increasing. Most of those who died recently were elderly.

After the cremation process, the ashes are placed in a 42 cm x 8 cm box. The box is given a legal stamp from the Police Department to guarantee that it arrives to its final resting place.