There are many branches to the tree of Pagan beliefs and when the time comes to hold a funeral, it is important the beliefs of the person the funeral is for are represented in their funeral ceremony. Pagan funerals differ with various beliefs, what is the same is Pagan funerals acknowledge the end of physical life and the beginning of moving to the next world or realm.
Pagan Funeral Ceremonies
Pagan funerals are as religious or as spiritual as they are required to be. Some Pagans desire a religious ceremony in the presence of their God or Goddess. Some want a celebration of life with a mention of their beliefs, some prefer to have a spiritual ceremony involving all who attend to feel included.
Some choose a natural burial, others a cremation. Those who are cremated may desire for their ashes to be scattered in a natural space such as a woodland or beach. Some may choose to have their ashes buried. We are all different as are our choices.
Your Pagan Funeral Choice
Because there are different kinds of Pagans who follow different paths, every ceremony I create, and lead is unique to the person/people it is created for. If you follow Wicca, Dianic Wicca, the Sacred Feminine, Druidry, Astaru, Odinism, Greek, Roman, Celtic, nature based or a personal path the ceremony will be centred on the beliefs of the person.
Paganism is an attractive religion and followers come to it from many walks of life and with various levels of belief. Some funerals I have created have been to new Pagans who have not long started their journey, many have been for those who have lived a fully Pagan life for many years. Some funerals have been heavily steeped in Pagan rituals, others have just included a prayer or a blessing.
Choice and personal/partner/ family requirements are a key part in the creation of every unique Pagan funeral ceremony.
Burial or Cremation
Every Pagan has their own personal preference if they want to be buried or cremated.
As already mentioned, I create and lead ceremonies for burials and cremations. There may be a slight difference in some of the wording said between a burial or a cremation, but the ceremony content, creation of and holding space, prayers, poems, and rituals aren’t dependent upon if the body of the person is buried or cremated.
What Happens at Pagan Funerals?
The purpose of every funeral is to say good to the person who has died and to bury or cremate their physical body. Prayers can be said, songs and music can be heard, rituals can be observed, those attending can take part, poems can be read, a life story is told, a life is celebrated all within a created space. Pagan funerals can take place indoors as well as outdoors if preferred.
Pagan beliefs are of an existence in another place after physical death. Rituals, prayers, and ceremonial words are usually requested to be said in acknowledge of the person moving on to the higher place of their personal belief.
Prayers, Poems and Readings
With many branches to the Pagan tree, there are prayers, poems, and readings for all followed paths. Below are two examples of a Pagan poem and The Viking Prayer which have been popular requested choices to be read at different funerals.
Do not weep for me for I have not gone.
I am the wind that shakes the mighty Oak.
I am the gentle rain that falls upon your face.
I am the spring flower that pushes through the dark earth.
I am the chuckling laughter of the mountain stream.
Do not weep for me for I have not gone.
I am the memory that dwells in the heart of those that knew me.
I am the shadow that dances on the edge of your vision.
I am the wild goose that flies south at autumns call and I shall return at summer rising.
I am the stag on the wild hills way.
I am just around the corner.
Therefore, the wise weep not.
But rejoice at the transformation of my Being.
The Viking Prayer
Lo, there do I see my father.
Lo, there do I see my mother,
and my sisters, and my brothers.
Lo, there do I see the line of my people,
Back to the beginning!
Lo, they do call to me.
They bid me take my place among them,
In the halls of Valhalla!
Where the brave may live forever!
Image from: https://www.cradletogravewillowcoffins.co.uk/
Memorial Ceremonies for Pagans
As we saw an increase of during the pandemic, those who have a direct cremation or burial may require a memorial ceremony after their body has been cremated or buried. It is a choice for many to have an unattended funeral as for them they do not want the expense of the upset to loved ones of a funeral.
A direct cremation removes any need of a funeral director, an expensive coffin and flowers, embalming (many are unaware this happens as standard with some funeral directors), the option to choose isn’t always given directly as ‘do you want your person to be embalmed?’ Car and hearse hire, charges for hiring the ceremony room at a crematorium, printing of orders of service and other service cost attached to funerals.
Memorial ceremonies for Pagans can take place outdoors in nature, at a time of the year of choice. For those who follow the wheel of the year, death and rebirth are the core of belief. Memorials can be held at Samhain the sabbat where the veil between the two worlds thin and the ancestors are called in, or during Ostara which celebrates new beginnings.
Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies for Pagans
When somebody has been cremated their ashes or ‘cremains’ to use the technical terminology are returned to their people. Many families and people do as non-Pagans do and choose to scatter the ashes in rivers or the sea, or on a beach, the ground of a special place or in woodlands. Ashes have been scattered at sacred places such as Glastonbury Tor, Stonehenge, and Avebury.
Viking Funerals
The most common statements I hear is ‘I am having/I want a Viking funeral at sea’. This refers to the Hollywood images of a longboat funeral pyre bursting into flames by a single arrow fired at the sails as it sets out to sea or being set a light by the flaming torch of a family member. This isn’t allowed in the UK, nor could happen as we believe it to happen due to many reasons.
The nearest to this is a longboat ashes urn can be purchased and the ashes put into it, floated out to sea from a shore and the sail being lit. Those attended can say words, recite prayers, play music, and give offerings as this takes place.
Planning a Pagan Funeral
We can plan our funeral in advance to take the pressure of many choices, and decisions from our loved ones and people. I have helped many people plan for their funerals as it is important, we talk about death. For Pagans death is an accepted part of life and we can plan for what is inevitable. Planning takes away the need to make sometimes uninformed choices by our people, letting them grieve in a different manner.
If you are planning a Pagan funeral, or require a Pagan celebrant, please get in touch.
Blessed Be.