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The Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley, Sagada, Mountain Province

To see coffins perched on the side of a mountain is unusual enough, but to find a chair strapped to one makes it even odder.

What was going on here? Was this that person’s favorite chair or something? I know the dead sometimes want to “bring” trinkets with them into the next life, things like jewelry or pictures, but an old wooden chair seemed like a bizarre choice. Maybe he expected the trip to be tiring?

As it turns out, the dead all begin their journey into the afterlife strapped to a bamboo or wooden chair like that. It’s one of many rituals in a pagan burial that’s still practiced in Sagada to this day.

Echo Valley

To get to Echo Valley and the hanging coffins, you’ll need to walk past St. Mary’s Cathedral, a church built by American Anglican missionaries who arrived in Sagada during the early part of the last century. Despite converting to the Anglican faith, many Sagadans continue ti practice their pagan beliefs.
Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Though the hanging coffins are still utilized, many Sagadans these days choose to be buried in this Anglican cemetery instead.
Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

After crossing the cemetery, you’ll find yourself standing at the top of Echo Valley. A gorgeous spot with a killer view, the hanging coffins are about a 15-20 min downhill trek from here. You can try yelling here if you want.
Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

The hanging coffins. Animist tribal folk believed that putting their dead in steep crevices made their loved ones nearer to the gods. Though the requirements are unclear, it’s important to note that not everyone is qualified to be buried in this way. For one, the deceased needs to have been married with grandchildren, among other things.
Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

See that chair strapped to a coffin that looks just big enough for a child? It houses a fully grown adult whose knees have been forced to his chin. Covered with white cloth and bound using rope from the maguey plant, elders believe that placing the body in a fetal position like that symbolizes the start of a new life. It’s the first step in the dead’s journey towards the next life.
Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Can you spot the coffins? Laying the dead to rest in this way obviously has its share of dangers. Seeing how high up these coffins are, I’m guessing these were very important people.

Interestingly, while the body is being carried up to its final resting place, it’s considered auspicious if the dead’s blood is sprinkled on you. It means that you’ll enjoy bountiful harvests and much success in life. Because of this belief, everyone tries to touch the body for good luck.
Echo Valley and its Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

While its being transported, carriers of the body bring food in a sangi, which is an indigenous backpack made from rattan. After the body has been placed inside the coffin, the men eat their food — usually rice, kamote (sweet potato), and pork — without washing their hands. It’s an interesting but slightly off-putting custom, the reason for which I do not know. The men then chant prayers asking the dead not to do ill against anybody, and to bring peace and good will to those left behind.

Only then do they bid him farewell.

How to Get There

Walk to St. Mary’s Church and the cemetery. Go past the cemetery and make your way down into the valley. From the top, it’ll be a relatively easy 15-20 min hike to the coffins. The coffins are easy enough to find on your own, but it is possible to get lost in the valley. For your own safety and peace of mind, you may want to hire a guide from the tourism office for just PHP 200 (up to 10 pax).

Guide Fee: PHP 200 (up to 10 pax)
Estimated Time Needed: 1 – 1.5 hrs
Fitness Level: Low

For more Sagada travel tips, check out our First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines
The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Sagada, Philippines (2019)

Found this article useful? Help us help other travelers by sharing it!

Nenita

Saturday 2nd of March 2024

Could you give me a rough estimate of time needed to see sights in Baguio? We will be hiring a van. Any recommendations on hotel in Baguio? What sites are worth visiting in Baguio? We then go to Sagada. How long do we stay? Any hotel recommendations? Do we go to Banaue on the way to Sagada and stay the night? My geography is spotty. Help!

Gel

Sunday 22nd of November 2015

Hi. Thanks for giving us tips about sagada-hanging coffins. I just want to know that if i walk from St. Mary's church down to the valley would it take 20mins max or is it 1.5 hours? Then, how will I go back, i nèed to ascend or is there an easy way to go back to St. Mary's church? Im quite afraid when i saw the steep trail and those big rocks going up :-(

JB & Renée

Sunday 22nd of November 2015

Hi Gel, it's only about 20 mins from the church down to the coffins. You go back up the exact same way you went down. Some parts are steep but it's not that difficult. You'll usually find people going up or down along the path so you can just follow them if you're unsure where to go. You can get a guide too if you want from the tourism office. Hope that helps and enjoy your trip! :)

JB & Renée

Thursday 18th of June 2015

Indeed they are Paula! Thanks for stopping by. :)

Paula

Tuesday 24th of February 2015

Their cultural belief is very unusual and odd. Instead of burying the dead, the coffins are hung on the face of the cliffs. Their culture and traditional beliefs are very interesting to study! :)