The indigenous peoples of the area (the Kankana-ey, who are collectively referred to as Igorot) have a long burial practice. It involves laying the deceased in their homes for 3 days. On the 3rd day, the deceased is made to sit on a chair, often strapped to it to keep the body upright. That is why you see a chair hanging by the coffins as it can no longer be used. After which, it is easier to put the deceased into the hung coffin in a fetal position.
Kankana-ey people believe in the existence of unseen beings that emanate from the Skyworld and the underworld. That these unseen beings are called spirits thought to have power over man. It is further believed that these unseen beings (spirits) can be manipulated by man to his advantage. With this belief, the people strive to win the favor of the spirits using prayers and material offerings in a ritual.
They believe in deities, the most powerful of which is Adikaila of the Skyworld, who they believe created everything. The Kabunyan, the Skyworld's gods and goddesses, including their teachers Lumawig and Kabigat, come next in the hierarchy. They also believe in ancestor spirits (ap-apo or kakkading) and earth spirits known as anito. They are extremely superstitious and believe that performing rituals and ceremonies will help to prevent misfortunes and disasters. Pedit (to bring good luck to newlyweds), pasang (to cure sterility and sleeping sickness, particularly drowsiness), and pakde (to cleanse the community of death-causing evil spirits) are some of these rituals.