Coffee For The Dead

Source
https://m.kaskus.co.id/thread/55019037bfcb17441f8b458d/sesajen-atau-sandingan-tradisi-suku-jawa/

For this past few weeks, I and my family especially my son watch Coco movie almost everyday. When I have to take shower, I should made a diversion for my son incase he crying outloud smash the bathroom door, afraid of his mommy is going somewhere without him (kids doesn't know the concept of "what is missing, it doesn't mean lost forever". I will explain this thing later). So I turn on Coco movie and in a sec he jumps up and down, and happy even for Pixar lamp smashing the "I" letter. Then he forget his mommy there.

We adore Coco. It is always heartwarming when you watch a movie about how important family is. And the songs is amazing. But which catch my attention is the culture and faith about life after dead. Coco tells us that in Mexico, they have a celebration for the dead to remember the loved ones called Dia de los Muertos. Basically, family prepare an altar (ofrenda) to honoured they loved ones and they put the loved ones photo on it. The ofrenda is decorated with flowers and foods also stuff which is the loved ones favorite when they still alive. They believe that the souls of the loved ones will visit to reunite with their family on that day, the souls will be happy for their family offering.

In Cileungsi, West Java, Indonesia where I live have a common believe with Mexican. Some locals believe that their deceased family souls will visit them but every Thursday night not ones a year. They have a special room for treating the souls. From what I heard from locals, they made coffee, sweet or bitter. They put some cups of coffee in the corner in special room. If there is no special room, they put them in the living room. The coffee will treat along with snack like fried banana or milkfish (bandeng). Sometimes when the souls still alive they prefer tea than coffee, then the family will add tea for their pleasure. And for additional the family also offering cigarette and comb or powder (if the soul is a woman) even money. But if there are a wedding, celebration, or party is going on, the offering can be a heavy meal same like what eat in the party.
Along with the offering, the family also pray for the souls. They hope the souls of they loved ones will be happy with their treat and they rest in peace.

The offering not disappear in the morning of course. The family can eat it if they want (if you dare 😆). It is not forbidden. Some people who drink the coffee say that sweet coffee becomes less sweet, and the food becomes less taste. They believe their family soul is already taken the offering in their way.

Source
https://m.kaskus.co.id/thread/55019037bfcb17441f8b458d/sesajen-atau-sandingan-tradisi-suku-jawa/

Source
http://uun-halimah.blogspot.co.id/2017/04/sesajen.html?m=1

Now this culture is just done by several elders who still believe in it. Other s refuse to do it. Some of them not doing it because it forbid in their religion. The other is just dont care anymore, it just a myth or old story for them. Believe or not, the point that I can take from that culture is how we have to remember our ancestors or family who already passed away, honoured them, pray for them in our ways of course because thats all we can do for them.