Undertaker : Ritual with Life after Death

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze rituals and life after death, which human beings cannot escape. Buddhism teaches us how to understand the truth of life: life begins at birth and ends when a person dies. Death contemplation is also included since it helps human understand life and overcome the fear of death.  When discussing death, one aspect that is rarely mentioned is the person who deals with death, often known as the undertaker whose responsibilities include bathing, doing makeup, changing clothes, pouring coconut water on the face, and shrouding a dead body.  Many people are unwilling to take on this duty. However, completing the tasks of “undertaker”requires belief and familiarity with death. 

The beliefs and fears about death in the past have been carried over into modern society. This is reflected in the trend of the current film "The Undertaker", that provides new insight for Thai society and shapes the perspective on the existence of life, lifestyle, and death. The roles of the undertakers are usually intepreted in the context of contemporary society. For example, the undertakers are regarded as soft power, events soft power, and  spirit sender.  Do their responsibilities just belong to social customs and cultural beliefs?