By Bianca Marie France E. Viadan 

‘The Hanging Coffins’ is one of the oldest burial traditions in the small town of Sagada at the Cordillera Mountains. It is a ritual believed to bring their loved ones higher and closer to the afterlife.

The unique burial ritual by the people of Sagada has existed for over 2,000 years. In old age, the elderly begin to carve their own coffins before they die using hallowed logs. If they fail to do so due to weakness or illness, their families or relatives will prepare their coffins instead. When death comes, the dead are placed inside their coffins. If the deceased was unable to fit in, they sometimes broke their bones in the process. The coffins are then hung in locations that are difficult to reach and are displayed on high cliffs, while the century-old ones were placed and stacked in burial sites like Lumiang Cave.

As the years went by, many of the old ones deteriorated and eventually fell from where they were hanged. What piqued my interest while reading about the hanging coffins was that even though there are only a few who follow this ritual in this modern age, tradition is still alive that the last funeral happened way back in 2010.

To see the Hanging Coffins, you need to travel to the Mountain Province to reach the little village of Sagada near the famous rice terraces of Banaue. From then you need to fill out the registration and get your personal guide. The hike will start at Paykotan Wall in Mission Valley where the first bell and St. Mary the Virgin Church are located.

A few caves and an old cemetery can also be found along the way during the hike before reaching the next stop, which is the Echo Valley. Finally, after the long hike and a few hours of tour recalling the history, you will then reach the Hanging Coffins of Sagada.

This ritual and tradition have shown us what we people can do to show our love and devotion to the people we love. Though we are living in different regions in the country with different beliefs, customs, and traditions, we will always have the same dedication towards the people dear to us. Even after death, we continue to celebrate their lives, praying for their soul and wishing them peace and eternal life with our creator up above.

In times of longing and sadness, may we find happiness despite losing them. May we also realize that life is too short and precious to let it just slip away. May we learn how to spend each day in a more meaningful way with the people we love. Let us take every chance to celebrate life while it lasts despite the trials and hardships we are going through instead of remembering it when it is no longer there.

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 Verse 1 and 2

References: Wikipedia / Bible Study Tools Official Website / Atlas Obscura Official Website / Time Travel Bee Official Website

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