This link will open in a new window. It's also considered to be a time when the boundary between our world and the next is at its weakest. Witches generally do this at Samhain (Hallowe'en), when . Many peoplePagans and otherwisebelieve that one of the best ways to keep someones memory alive is to do something in their honor, something that keeps them alive in your heart long after theirs has stopped beating. One carries a feather, representing Air, and stands to the East. A time will come when we have to bid our loved ones goodbye. Despite this, so have their funeral customs. When our time does come, let us find the strength to move on with grace. The holiday came to us from the ancient times and truly its ritual component is rather multifaceted and complex. She says, I dont know what happens to us when we die, but I like the idea of the Summerland. Some pagan funerals include the invoking of the four elements. Many Pagans believe that there is some sort of afterlife, although that tends to take varying forms, depending on the individual belief system. I am doing my own. When the officiant conducts the service, you can be sure that the ceremony will revolve around both nature and the environment to represent the cycle of life. This is reflected in how we conduct funerals. Unwrap the leather cord. . In addition, the casket or urn may make a circle around the gathering to symbolize unity. Other deities you may wish to call upon as someone is dying, or has crossed over, include the Greek Demeter, Hecate, and Hades, or the Chinese Meng Po. 6 Q Offerings will also be placed on the gravesite to provide safe travels, You may hear readings from pagan sources such as the, "For I am the Soul of Nature, who giveth life to the universe; from me, all things proceed, and unto me must all things return; and before my face, beloved of gods and mortals, thine inmost divine self shall be unfolded in the rapture of infinite joy. They view funerals as an opportunity to reflect on the cycles which make up life, and to give thanks for its renewal. The traditional Pagan blessing is an ode to togetherness and remembrance. Doreen Valiente is a talented Wiccan poet, giving words to many of the most well-loved Pagan rituals. They may reach Summerland, or the Otherworldplaces of eternal youth, health, and abundance. The ritual of staging ceremonies for the dead predates even ancient, pagan religions. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); Still, others believe they will eternally feast with the gods in the great halls, while others may succumb to the dark Underworld, ruled by Hades. Again, a pagan eulogy can encompass many different elements. Instead, they choose to celebrate life which was lived. The casket must travel around the cemetery three times sunward, turning from east to west for protection of the deceased. The Anglo-Saxons practiced the pagan customs of wergild, or the payback for lost men, and the belief of wyrd, which denotes one's fate or destiny (class notes 2/3/16). Both are dogmatic. Rooted in the ancient agrarian lifestyles, pagans around the globe hold great reverence for the powers of nature, women, and many deities. Every religion has its unique rituals and beliefs. Certain days of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) are named for Heathen gods. My brother had already been cremated, but we added his ashes to the fire, and we sang a song honoring him and his accomplishments, and introducing him to Odin and Valhalla, and then we continued it by calling upon our ancestors, going back about eight generations. var pid = 'ca-pub-6547123147937694'; There may be food and drink served. Cremation (often upon a funeral pyre) was particularly common among the earliest Vikings, who were fiercely pagan and believed the fire's smoke would help carry the deceased to their afterlife.. We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. Others see it vaguely as a realm without forms, where energy swirls coexist with the greatest energiesthe Goddess and God in their celestial identities.". form. If the person loved the mountains, hold the service on a mountaintop. We put in the work to identify the best short pagan funeral or memorial service poems. Easter is the day of the resurrection of Christ. This is a poem for those who grow old and those you hold dear. This link will open in a new window. When that happens, what is the appropriate response? In pagan funerals, theres a reminder that we all return to nature. 1. Until modern times, Irish wake customs ran the gamut from profound grieving to what appeared to be rollicking good fun. What to expect at a Pagan funeral service. Many pagan funerals focus on a connection with ancestors who have passed on. You can read more about paganism on our Introduction to Paganism page. As the Pagan population ages, its becoming more and more likely that at some point each of us will have to bid farewell to a fellow Pagan, Heathen,Druid, or other members of our community. I spread my mothers ashes under several of her favorite trees. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal And He Is the Moon Too by Elizabeth Barette, 13. If you are wondering what to bring or send, opt for a live plant whenever possible. How about the gentleman who gave so much time cleaning up local parks? Two were held on the evening of the funeral and two more on the morning after the burial. In the Eddas, we are treated to Balder's funeral, Beowulf contains three funerals alone, and then there is Ibn Fadlan's account of a Rus funeral. They dont have to be all in one spot. Reality and Nav Our ancestors - the ancient Slavs - believed that there was Reality and Nav. Here are a few options: Dont forget too, depending on the pagans tradition and beliefs, traditional songs and music from that culture would also play well at a pagan funeral. Wiccan Death Rituals. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Alternatively, ashes could be thrown into the wind following the ceremony, representing the freedom of the spirit to travel as it chooses. About Patheos Pagan Channel. Their memory is always alive, and their legacy never leaves you. For more information on religious funerals, visit our religious funerals page. This means a natural burial: no concrete is poured into the ground, no man-made caskets, etc. Discoveries in northern Iraq, from as far back at 65,000 years ago, indicate that Neanderthals buried their dead on a bed of flowers. However, the body is embalmed in case of an open casket funeral or a delay. In addition to an eco-friendly witch burial, some pagans may choose to be cremated and then have their ashes spread somewhere in nature. The elements of fire, water, earth and air are associated with pagan rites. These are Air in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the West and Earth in the North. Although many of them are celebrated during the harvest season, around Samhain, when the earth itself is slowly dying, it is not uncommon to see them called upon as someone is approaching their last days, or has recently crossed over. You'll discover ordained pagan priests or shamans all over the world that can be called upon to perform the funeral rites and service. There are some wonderful passages that would be appropriate for a pagan funeral in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Prose Edda, the Mabinogion, and the Carmina Gadelica, to name a few. "Pagans, Death and the Afterlife." For many, religion brings comfort, and the pagan way of handling death is often beautiful, harmonious, and full of celebration as well as sorrow. Then again, regular burials in a cemetery or being housed in a mausoleum are choices, too. Often referred to as a humanist or atheist funeral, they tend to follow a similar structure to a traditional ceremony. Amy Wolkenhauer, BA in English/Creative Writing. The Russians still celebrate pagan holidays, many people believe in numerous omens and legends. You have given me wonderful thoughts dead. Youre not celebrating for yourself, youre celebrating for the person who just died), burying the pagan/witch in good walking shoes for the journey ahead (for the love of the gods dont bury me in heels, people! Shamanism heals by working with the spirits within nature, whereas Wicca heals by utilizing the gifts granted by nature itself. Pagans, Death and the Afterlife. For families facing grief, this is a blessing. Thanks to recent archaeological findings, we know that prehistoric people practiced funeral rites. "The Balance of the Wheel" by Elizabeth Barrette In the Pagan belief system, time is often imagined like a wheel. The Roman funeral was a rite of passage that signified the transition between the states of life and death.It was very important to conduct the proper ceremonies and burial in order to avoid having a malicious spirit rising from the underworld. forms. Fairly take and fairly give.. No less significant are some elements of . Their goal is to achieve civility and a higher mentality. Here are a few things to. The deity may be one that the person was particularly fond of or perhaps honoring Hecate. And there are specialty companies out there who make wicker caskets for just such funerals. If your loved one wanted a natural burial, most funeral directors will be able to help you with this and find a suitable natural burial ground near to you. Wigington, Patti. As long as there are those who are righteous at heart and beautiful in character, there will always be peace and kindness. ins.style.display = 'block'; These are powerful ways to say goodbye to someone you love while remembering that they live on through your memories. Losing a loved one is never easy, but its comforting to remember that youll carry their memory with you always. Though losing a friend is always challenging, there is peace in knowing their soul is at rest. More Pagan Funeral Traditions: To protect the deceased upon burial: drive/carry the casket around the cemetery 3 times in a sunwise direction Bury the deceased with his or her amulets/talismans: magical jewelry like crystals or runes they wore during life or any other sacred tokens We strive to work with companies that are environmentally friendly and/or contribute to the pagan community. A common practice is to invoke the four elements. They evoke positivity and compassion, even in the most difficult of times. Cultures have, since the beginning of time, honored deities associated with the process of dying, the act itself, and the journey of the spirit or soul into the afterlife. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service Build kindling and tinder in a brazier, using different wood than used earlier. Ancient civilizations sometimes burned the body of the deceased. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. LinkedIn. This is perhaps the most widespread tradition amongst the Romanian people. Not only are they in our memories, but we see them in glimpses of nature. COVID-19 tip:If you're planning avirtual Pagan funeralusing a service likeGatheringUs, you can still adapt many of these rituals for an online ceremony. Many users would be better served consulting an attorney than using a do-it-yourself online We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. Slowly over time, this festival sparked the interest of non-pagans as well, and now we have Halloween as we know it today. We find reminders of those we love long after theyre gone. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Stories November 20, 2022. Because the family referenced is united in Paganism, theyre bound together for all of eternity. An above-the-ground burial found in a Russian forest Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography It appears that above-the-ground burials were practiced among the peoples of Russia. Thou art beneficent in decree and speech, the favoured one of the Great Company of the Gods, and the beloved of the Little Company of the Gods.". LinkedIn. Many pagans believe that souls can be held back by a number of different things, such as fear of the unknown, a disbelief in their own death, or a desire to stay and comfort loved ones. And we dont have to have a Christian burial either. There are natural eco-friendly cemeteries in the USA. This link will open in a new window. Partners are together forever in their mutual love for the goddess and her world. We honor the departed and reflect upon our ancestors and others who have gone before us. Little biscuit passed on last night. 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