The thesis entitled “Undertaker: the continuity of beliefs and funeral ceremony in municipality area, Boh haew sub-district, Mueang Lampang district, Lampang province” consisted of three objectives. The study aimed: 1) to study the beliefs and funeral ceremony in municipality area, Boh haew sub-district, Mueang Lampang district, Lampang province, 2) to study the funeral ceremony in Lanna culture, and 3) to study the continuity of beliefs and funeral ceremony of the desirable undertaker of people in municipality area, Boh haew sub-district, Muang Lampang district, Lampang province. This is a documentary and qualitative research from the in-depth interview of Sangha administrators, the lay leaders of congregation, local leaders, local scholars, elders etc. in total of 34 persons in order to analyze the styles of the continuity of beliefs, funeral ceremony and the roles of an undertaker.

The results of the research were as follows:

The beliefs and funeral ceremony had been influenced by India in order to send the consciousness of the dead to heaven through the burning and floating of the ashes and bones fragments of the dead into the Ganges river. This was the beginning of the tradition of cremation and the scattering ashes over the sea/ river. The funeral ceremony was a way to show gratitude towards the dead i.e. offering made to a monk or monks on behalf of the dead or dakkhinadana. The ceremony could be divided into four periods; 1) the period of the death day, 2) the period of merit-making dedicating to the dead, 3) the period of the cremation day, and 4) the period after the cremation.

Lanna culture divided the characteristics of the funeral ceremony into three ways according to the social class of the dead; 1) funeral of the upper-class or high-ranking members of the country's honours system, 2) funeral of Buddhist monks, and 3) funeral of commoners. The funeral ceremony was purposely in order to send the consciousness of the dead to the blissful realm. The funeral of the high-ranking members of the country's honours system and Buddhist monks, usually the body of the dead would be put in the more special coffin (bigger and more beautiful) than the normal coffin of commoners. Nowadays, the funeral ceremony arrangement had no differences, it depended on the host on how to arrange the ceremony, nevertheless, the ceremony must not be opposed to the traditional customs. From the study, it was found that ways and styles of the continuity of beliefs and funeral ceremony of the desirable undertaker of people in municipality area consisted of; 1) belief; giving aid for the dead, 2) trust and acceptance of the community, 3) income; a motivation to perform duty, and 4) the continuity through transferring knowledge to one’s lineage or those who were interested.

Therefore, in order to continue the beliefs and funeral ceremony of Lanna culture, it’s important to recognize and create the values of acquiring an undertaker with knowledge on the ceremony and on the management according to the tradition, so that the community’s identity and good tradition could be sustained in the future.

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