Abstract

• Every society has its own culture. Depending on people’s geographical and historical background, cultural practices differ. In Myanmar, traditional funeral practices are different among the ethnic groups. Myanmar is currently undergoing rapid urbanization. As a consequence, funeral practices are also changing in an urban context. In particular, the practicality and cost of a funeral in an urban setting are significantly different from the rural context. In urban areas like Yangon, free funeral service societies are emerging every ward and every township. Although funeral services have changed with urbanization, however, the customs related to death continue to be practiced. The topic of my paper is "Traditional Funeral Customs and Practices in Myanmar society". The aim of this study is to find out how death customs are practiced in Myanmar society and how urbanization affects funeral rites. Qualitative research methods such as key informant interviews and observation were applied in the data collection. As a result, in Myanmar society, no matter what the urban form, the rituals of death continue to be practiced in accordance with traditional beliefs.