THE UNDERTAKER: A SPIRITUAL GUIDE BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

Abstract

All humans are subject to the law of the Three Marks of Existence (Tilakkhaṇa) or the natural law governing all things. The Three Marks refer to the arising, existing, and ceasing of everything in the world, as taught in Buddhism. In simpler terms, it is understood that everyone must die, but where one goes after death is still a mystery that science has yet to fully explain or answer. However, there is one profession in Thai society that remains connected between the living and the dead. Some refer to these individuals as “graveyard masters,” while others call them “funeral ritualists,” though today, we know them as "undertakers". Their role is to handle the bodies of the deceased, and this role has deep historical roots in religion and culture, particularly tied to the inevitable end of life: death. Despite the significant decline in those pursuing this profession due to fear, beliefs, compensation, or modern trends, the role of the undertaker remains vital and irreplaceable in Thai society. Every day, people die, and the person responsible for bridging the gap between the living and the dead is the undertaker. With every step of their work, they act with pure intentions for both the living and the dead, ensuring that the final departure is as dignified as possible. No one can escape the undertaker-not even the undertaker themselves-since, upon death, it is another undertaker who will cremate or bury them. The person who remains with us until our very last moment, until we are reduced to ashes, is the undertaker. This article aims to explore the concepts, meaning, and history related to undertakers, as well as Buddhist beliefs about the afterlife. It also examines new alternative approaches to handling death.