When a Buddhist dies the body is cremated because the soul or spirit which is "the eternal you" does not need that body anymore. The Buddhists believe in reincarnation and believe that one's soul will come back in another body according to the Law of Karma ie. the law of right and wrong. How many times we come back into this world in another body depends on how many lessons we still have to learn to become "perfect". When we have reached enlightenment we can enter "Nirvana" we shed the concept of self to become one with the universe and have an option of not returning again. Answer: In Tibet there is a shortage of wood (making cremation difficult to organize) and soft Earth (making burial almost impossible). The body is give a "sky burial". This involves exposing the body to the elements and animals (Especialy birds of prey and carion eaters) in an open area. The body returns to nature though decomposition and animal predation.