The Corpse Washer (Pemandi Jenazah)

BATHE HIM WITH WATER AND JUJUBE LEAVES AND SHROUD HIM WITH TWO PIECES OF CLOTHING

AND DON'T COVER HIS HEAD BECAUSE INDEED ALLAH WILL RESURRECT HIM ON JUDGMENT DAY

IN A STATE OF TALBIYAH

I intend to wash this woman to fulfill her obligations to Allah the Greatest.

Miss.

Excuse us. We're starting.

Mom.

Mom.

That's...

These wounds. They look like lash marks from a whip.

I can't do this, Mom.

Respect the deceased.

Attention, all villagers.

You are all invited

to Mrs. Ida's house.

Mrs. Ida's son is having a circumcision party.

I mean, her grandson, Farhan's circumcision party.

Once again, ladies and gentlemen.

Come over to Mrs. Ida's place, our former neighborhood head.

Mrs. Ida is having a circumcision party,

her grandson's circumcision party.

Okay? Come over, everyone!

Time flies. Farhan's big now.

- Yeah. - He was still so small.

How many years since his mother left?

- Since working as a housemaid abroad? - Yeah.

She hasn't been back in a long time.

I'm sure it's not that easy for her.

I guess so.

Youngsters. They tend to get caught up in their work.

I'm glad my kid stays at home.

Is Bimo still unemployed?

That's okay. Finding a job takes time.

As long as he's not pressured into working.

Yeah, just like Arif. He's also unemployed, right?

Is Arif going to be another mortuary attendant?

I'd say, let Lela do it. Not Arif.

- Otherwise, many will die here. - Hey!

That's not funny, Ms. Terry.

I don't plan on dying early.

Who will take care of Bimo?

- After all, I'm a... - Widow.

- What? - None of us has a husband.

We're all widows.

No way!

You were left behind, not divorced.

You're not quite a widow, Mrs. Siti.

Aren't you a virgin? You have no idea about being a widow.

Isn't that right?

Mrs. Ida, why stop the party so soon?

We're enjoying the festivity.

Yeah, we love it here.

Bimo's here.

If you'll excuse me.

- Thanks, Mrs. Ida. - Thanks for coming, Mrs. Ana.

- See you, ladies. - See you.

Lela's here.

Lela's here to pick you up.

Why is she carrying an umbrella?

It's not even raining.

You should know. Lela, like her mom, can see omens.

I better get going before it rains.

Me too. Thanks for today.

- Excuse me. - Thank you, Mrs. Ida.

Mrs. Ida.

I'm going.

Mom!

Ouch.

Sis, scooch over. It's hot.

You're too big!

- Hold the umbrella. - I'm carrying stuff.

Arif.

The chief was looking for you.

He said he has work for you.

Repairing the rental houses.

You don't want to apply for a job?

You sure you want to keep doing home repairs?

We should focus on what's in front of us first, right?

Find a more serious job, will you?

Let him do whatever he wants.

Enough fighting.

Mom.

- Miss Rika! - Rif!

Mom, see you. Peace be upon you.

Peace be upon you.

- Rif. - You just got off work?

Yeah. Going to fix the rent house?

- Yup. - Let's go.

Let's go.

My goodness! Lela!

Lela, please.

You scared me.

Are you going out?

Do you really...

want to learn makeup that bad?

You want to be a makeup artist?

I'm not sure, but I was invited.

Isn't it okay to try things?

Perhaps...

you hate the idea of being like me?

All right. I'm not going.

I'm not trying to push you.

- I want someone to continue... - I know, Mom!

I know Grandma passed this on to you.

I've always helped you wash corpses since I was a kid.

Why can't I have other options?

I gave you the option to be a corpse washer.

What I'm saying is...

If not you, then who else?

No one else in this village is a corpse washer.

Why can't I be like Arif?

Do whatever I want?

You said so yourself.

Being a corpse washer is a tough job. We're facing death.

We witness the life and death of the deceased.

I don't want it, Mom. I'm tired.

Lela, close all the doors.

Don't let anybody in!

Mom!

Mom.

Where are you going?

To Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return.

Ida Mulyani, daughter of Hajah,

has passed away at 7: 00 p.m.

- Lela. Stay here, wait for Arif. - O Allah, absolve her, grace her...

I'll go to Mrs. Ida's house.

Mom!

Mrs. Siti.

The body hasn't been taken care of.

Okay, thank you.

Over here.

Peace be upon you.

- Peace upon you. - You too.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

Please prepare everything.

I'll wash her myself.

My goodness!

Oh, God.

Peace be upon you.

Lela?

- Not going to Mrs. Ida's? - Mom said she'll do it.

- What are you doing? - The roof collapsed!

Oh, my God.

How did it happen?

It even caved in.

I'll help you fix it. Hold on.

Wait here.

Careful, Rif!

Got it.

Mom?

Mom!

- Mom! - Mom!

Mom.

Mom.

- Mom! - Can you walk?

Come on. I'll help you.

Mom.

How did Mrs. Ida pass away?

It's okay.

I'll sleep here with you.

Get some rest.

I'll do the laundry.

Okay?

Mom?

Why are you up?

Help me.

Is that Mrs. Ida's blood?

What happened to her?

Lela.

When you wash a corpse,

you must burn everything.

Don't let curiosity get the better of you.

I'll burn the rest. You go back to bed.

Did you lock up, Lel?

Lela.

Lela.

Lel.

I'm sorry.

For what?

It's me who should apologize, Mom.

Well...

I'm the reason you had to go through all of this.

You know, Lel.

Each person has their own role in life.

Mom?

Mom?

Mom!

Oh, my God.

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Arif!

Arif!

What's wrong, sis?

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

Mrs. Siti Rodiah, daughter of Amien,

has passed away at 4: 40 a.m. at her residence.

Arif said it's around 02:00 a.m., sir.

How did she die?