Death in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Selected Communities in Itogon, Benguet

Health protocols during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have affected indigenous communities in various ways, including the inability to perform burial rituals. Understanding how the imposed health policies challenged cultural expressions and uncovering the issues arising in the implementation can raise awareness among stake holders. It also advocates for future pandemic plans to consider the expectations and cultural nuances of all stakeholders in the design of preventive strategies. This study investigated how indigenous communities in Itogon, Benguet responded to the health protocols declared by the government vis-à-vis their death worldview and rituals. Employing a qualitative approach, findings showed that the indigenous communities believe that death is not the end of life but merely a transition to the next life, in this transition, rituals are needed to be performed. It ensures that the spirit reaches the spiritual world. The imposed protocols had significantly challenged the performance of long-held rituals as it was halted. During those times, the communities showed “cultural resiliency” as they negotiated with the protocols, some had asserted, modified and changed the ritual. Keywords : Burial Rituals, COVID-19, Death Worldview, Indigenous Peoples, Itogon