Fascinating...Tibetan sky burial.

I'm just going to provide a link for these photos because they are not for everybody, i.e. the squeamish.

The reason for this form of disposition is both practical and religious.  The ground is hard in Tibet and wood is not plentiful making burial or cremation impractical.  Buddhists believe that the body is merely a vessel and after death has little meaning.  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust in it's own way, but disturbing to most western sensibilities.

The vultures will give you a hint.

To see the photo series go here.  
More information from Wikipedia.