Scattered Flowers and Rose Water: Inseparable Elements of Eid Cemetery Visits
JAKARTA — Cemetery visitation has returned as a key activity for many families in Jakarta ahead of Eid al-Fitr. For many visitors, scattered flowers remain an inseparable complement to the ritual of praying for deceased family members.
Abi, 45, a private sector employee from West Jakarta, said he almost always makes time to visit his parents’ graves each Eid season. In his hands were a bag of scattered flowers and a bottle of rose water freshly purchased from vendors at the entrance to Karet Pasar Baru Barat Public Cemetery (TPU) in Central Jakarta.
“Every year we almost always visit the graves before Eid. Usually two or three days before the holiday,” Abi said when met at the site on Monday, 16 March 2026.
“Usually we come, clean the grave, then pray and scatter flowers. It feels more peaceful after visiting,” he added.
Abi admitted he almost always buys scattered flowers from vendors around the cemetery because it is more convenient. “When going to the cemetery, we usually buy flowers here. Besides being practical, it also helps the vendors,” he said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Vitra, 36, a housewife from Central Jakarta who came with her family to visit her grandfather’s grave. She was carrying two bags of scattered flowers purchased from vendors near the cemetery entrance.
“Usually before Eid, we come as a family to grandfather’s grave to pray and scatter flowers,” Vitra said. According to her, bringing scattered flowers when visiting graves has become a habit passed down from her parents.
“We have always done this. When visiting, we bring flowers. Although nowadays some people only pray, we still bring flowers because it has become our custom,” she said.
“I think the flower vendors here also help. So visitors who come can buy directly without the trouble of bringing flowers from home,” she added.
Meanwhile, Yamin, 52, an entrepreneur from Central Jakarta, said scattered flowers have become synonymous with the atmosphere of cemetery visits.
“I usually just buy flowers here. It is more convenient because they are available right at the entrance,” Yamin said. According to him, the flower vendors selling around the cemetery have also become part of the visitation tradition.
“Cemetery visits feel synonymous with scattered flowers. So the flower vendors around the graves have become part of the tradition as well,” he said.
Yamin also noted that the number of visitors typically increases ahead of Eid, so flower vendors around the cemetery appear busier than on ordinary days.
“It usually gets busier before Eid. There are also more flower vendors. But I think it is only natural because many people come to visit,” he said.
“It also helps them earn a living, especially when it is busy like before Eid,” he added.
Beneath the shade of trees at the entrance to Karet Pasar Baru Barat Public Cemetery, several flower vendors were arranging their merchandise on simple carts. Dozens of glass bottles containing rose water were neatly arranged on tables. Beside them, plastic bags containing a mixture of red, white, and yellow flower petals were hung from cart poles for easy access to buyers.
According to Kompas.com’s observations at the location, vendors began opening their stalls from early morning to serve visitors coming to the cemetery.