Like Druidry and Heathenism, both Shamanism and Wicca believe in the transformative powers of nature. We find reminders of those we love long after theyre gone. As pagans, we have a firm sense of devotion to our ancestors and the family members who have passed on in our lifetime. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'celebratepaganholidays_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-medrectangle-4-0');Calling on spirit guides such as Iris, Thoth, Berchta or animal guides such as the snake and birds. If you are wondering what to bring or send, opt for a live plant whenever possible. Ashes are poured into the pendant, the hole is sealed with a screw, and then the friends and family of the dead can keep them nearby any time they like. Pagan Sabbat rituals mark the cycle of Sun and Seasons, also known as the Wheel of the Year. . It instantly . (translator). It seems peaceful, a place where our souls can regenerate before they reincarnate into a new body. These are powerful ways to say goodbye to someone you love while remembering that they live on through your memories. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Cauldron is an active, friendly virtual community for members of Pagan religions and their friends, featuring a threaded message board, and over 8 megs of articles, book reviews and other Pagan information. Beach bonfires and burning witches at midsummer | 23 June. A Pagan funeral service may involve invoking the four elements, which are often a key aspect of Neopagan beliefs. hold an Irish wake: click here to learn more. Imbolc is a pagan holiday celebrated from February 1 through sundown February 2. . The pagan holiday of Samhain also occurs on the 31st, and it is a time for honoring the dead. "Pagans, Death and the Afterlife." subject to our Terms of Use. Yet the funeral rite is one of the best preserved in the lore. Hmong people see the death of a loved one as an important part of life. Hellenists believe that they possess an eternal soul, which allows for an eternal afterlife whether through reincarnation or by sharing a table inside the halls and realm of the gods. Wigington, Patti. Loss is hard. Easter is the day of the resurrection of Christ. This link will open in a new window. In the past, it would have been a parlor but more often these days a bedroom is used. Thank you very much. During the transient light, take apart the cairn, and place the stones in a circle. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'celebratepaganholidays_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Many pagans choose to spread ashes in wild spaces, in keeping with their connection to nature. Use red or yellow paint and cover the names you painted in white. Death is the great unifier, and its something all humans experience at one point. Perhaps it is because we view the cycle of birth and life and death and rebirth as something magical and spiritual, a never-ending, ever turning wheel. ins.style.width = '100%'; Wallis. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Various interpretations of funeral ceremonies exist among pagan religions, but the themes are similar. Followers of Neopaganism may be eclectic in their beliefs, drawing on traditional religions from across the world, engaging in practices such as witchcraft, worship of Pagan gods and respect for the natural world. Growing and Using White Sage for Smudging, Celebrate Pagan Holidays, PO Box 628051, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562, USA, Norse Mythology Children's Book Reviews For Pagan Families, The Law of Attraction: How Can It Help Your Practice, Rodnovery: Animal Totems And Spirit Guides, How to Setup a Norse Pagan Altar ( Complete list of supplies needed ), Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of the Underworld and Moon, Full Moons Throughout The Year 2023: Names and Meanings, Heng - o (Ch'ang-o): Chinese Moon Goddess, 21 Best Pagan Names For Cats (Including Meanings). While cremation is purportedly a Christian death custom, our ancient pagan ancestors from certain countries burned their dead. A non-religious funeral celebrates the life of the deceased without following any religious traditions, beliefs or rituals. forms. While this may sound a bit morbid to some folks, bereavement jewelry is making quite a comeback. Hellenists may celebrate Persephone, who lives with Hades six months of every year, bringing brightness into darkness. They feel the connection of all beings and the beauty of natures design. Zinnias, representative of missing friends, is another choice to mark the absence of the departed. 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. This link will open in a new window. There may be food and drink served. Again, a pagan eulogy can encompass many different elements. Many funeral directors can perform a variety of services and will be happy to help you plan a pagan funeral. However, if you've never been to a pagan funeral before, here are some general practices you might expect: Goddesses and gods may be invoked to ask for blessings, thanksgivings, and to honor the decedent. Cremations & Burials The deceased were treated in different ways. Following the pagan funeral service, have a party to celebrate the persons life together eat, drink, and socialize. Then, add the painted wood atop the cord after the leather is alight. There are natural eco-friendly cemeteries in the USA. When the wood has burned entirely, remove the brazier. Your friend who adopted all of those shelter kittens would probably love it if you made a donation to the shelter in her name. This link will open in a new window. Listed here are a few flowers and plants and their meanings so that you can make the right choice for funeral flowers. container.appendChild(ins); You can choose music without lyrics, if you prefer. Much love to you. Just as a baby is cleansed upon birth (via bathing or baptism, etc. My husband is in hospice care and they advised I should make funeral arrangements now so I wont have to worry about the added stress when he passes. For example, if the person was Wiccan, search for an ordained high priest or priestess to officiate. Paganism is a widespread religion with varied beliefs and practices. Read more about pagan death beliefs and the pagan afterlife here. Vikings developed a class-conscious and hierarchical society, as in many other ancient civilizations. No less significant are some elements of . Reciting these words of wisdom is a special way to say goodbye to a lost friend. Most Pagan paths honor the start of each season with rituals for Fall Equinox, Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, and Summer Solstice. There should be no embalming fluid, no casket, and no vault which might interfere with the decomposition of the body. Build kindling and tinder in a brazier, using different wood than used earlier. What about planting a tree in his honor? Stories November 20, 2022. During the funeral ceremony ask psychopomps to guide the deceased to the afterlife. It is a time of death, of endings and beginnings. Feel free to ask a funeral director if they have experience planning Pagan funeral services, but in most cases they will be open to helping you arrange your loved ones funeral with any ceremonies and options you have in mind. For example, Norse pagans may celebrate with additions of Viking traditions, paying honors to Odin and the kingdom of Valhalla. Hellenists align themselves with philosopherslike Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Wiccan Death Rituals. A good funeral director will guide you and help you plan the funeral you desire to have. Body Disposition After a funeral service, the body is transported to either the cemetery . forms. forms. Half of the warriors who die in battle go to spend the afterlife with Freya in her hall, Folkvangr, and the others go to Valhalla with Odin. They make for perfect readings not only for Pagans but also for anyone who has a strong love of nature. This may be recorded music, or using live instruments such as drums. 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. Persons may stand at the compass points and give thanks. Thanks to recent archaeological findings, we know that prehistoric people practiced funeral rites. Although they may worship many different gods, you will usually hear them refer to the Goddess, a female deity that features in most Pagan ceremonies. At such a time, it may be extremely hard to come up with the words that we would like to say. Although the form of ritual varies by tradition, Pagan rituals tend to engage the participants . that I would love someone to share upon my burial. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. Cake values integrity and transparency. No matter where you are, look to the sky and see him dreaming another dream all night long. Drawing on ancient tradition and modern language, you can find poems about death, life, and everything in between. However, it's a relatively new concept by some standards, and in some places, it's almost a novelty. The geography where one lives also brings diversity to the religion. E-mal:. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and Instagram. In addition, share a few pagan passages or quotes on death and the afterlife: These are some of my favorite passages about death, reincarnation, etc. The ritual of staging ceremonies for the dead predates even ancient, pagan religions. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; Many Pagans understand that their beliefs are not as widely known or understood as the major religions. Of course, depending on the specifics of the deceased beliefs, each funeral will be different. Unlike Christianity, Heathens believe in a great hall (or halls) where people go after they die. Whether youre planning a memorial for a Pagan, a lover of nature, or youre simply looking for inspiration for the spiritual person in your life, this list is for you. subject to our Terms of Use. Keep in mind that any affiliate product we recommend is one that we use ourselves. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); Overcoming these feelings of grief takes a village, but you can find your own healing and peace through poetry. Author, Katherine Fox, is our editor and one of our writers. At Cake, we help you create one for free. A pagan ritual was the root of much of the goings-on at an Irish wake and much of the carrying-on was frowned upon by the church. The first recorded existence of pagan religions is in the works of Bede the Venerable who was a monk that lived around 735 AD. Of course death is not a joyous occasion, but marks "the transition for the human soul." 1 A typical Hmong funeral lasts for three days and nights. Depending on the departed one, some Pagans will keep the ashes close to their alter or worship place, and some will spread the ashes where the person wished to be spread, as a final release. Since I am pagan and my family are not I am going to make all the arrangements myself and have them set in place. Accept, The first recorded existence of pagan religions is in the works of Bede the Venerable who was a monk that lived around 735 AD. Its something thats always turning, and it never reaches its end. ), 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. There are several popular pagan books with suitable readings for a funeral. 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.". Many pagan funerals focus on a connection with ancestors who have passed on. For those who hear the call of Paganism, nature is where you find solace. As funeral directors, they often work with a variety of religious and spiritual leaders. Many relics in ancient tombs reveal that the type of burial a Viking received depended on his importance in the society. Considerations for particular gods and goddesses may also be honored and worshipped. Lastly, this Celtic blessing for weddings is also appropriate for funerals. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. One of them reads: Pagan rituals commonly focus on honoring a deity or deities; observing natural cycles, such as seasonal changes or the waxing and waning of the moon; or celebrating rites of passage, such as birth, transitioning into adulthood, marriage, and death. And the Danish midsummer celebration might be the most ancient of the country's traditions. 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. So instead of the Christian version of talking about the deceased as if theyre going to Heaven, pagan death beliefs nearly always revolve around reincarnation and/or traveling to a place outside of this world. We put in the work to identify the best short pagan funeral or memorial service poems. Thank you for this. Though we dont live forever, we learn to savor the time we have as a blessing. Understanding the language of flowers can make the ceremony more poignant. Bear in mind that Pagan funeral services may be slightly more relaxed. Twitter. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'celebratepaganholidays_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-celebratepaganholidays_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Many pagans have a belief in reincarnation. The Witchs Ballad celebrates life after death. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. If you enjoy Egyptian witchcraft, or are an Egyptian witch a must read is the Egyptian book of the dead or the book of coming forth into light. For families facing grief, this is a blessing. The best place to have a pagan funeral service is where? They evoke positivity and compassion, even in the most difficult of times. Not only are they in our memories, but we see them in glimpses of nature. They include the Egyptian Book of the Dead, your Book of Shadows, and the Carmina Gadelica. Pagan burial customs are finalized only when the soul is released from the body or the grave, summoning a rebirth. Every family is made up of special people. The rebirth of the forces of nature had to be celebrated with a bang and so Jare wito was set up on 21 st March. The traditional Pagan blessing is an ode to togetherness and remembrance. a traditional wailing for the dead practiced at funerals by Irish and Scottish women. Theres plenty of music (both pagan and modern) that would relate well and could be considered pagan funeral songs. Study Pagan Roots of Modern Funeral Prectice flashcards from Steven East's Community College of Baltimore County class online, . Katherines heritage is Native American (Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho) and Irish and she writes about family fun pagan activities, Native American and Celtic traditions. Perfect for saying goodbye to a beloved partner, this blessing has a simple reminder. The Afterlife A great way to memorialize them is to do something for that cause that meant so much to them. 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With Hades six months of every Year, bringing brightness into darkness beliefs and practices send, opt for live... Work to identify the best short pagan funeral service may involve invoking the four elements, which are often key. Purchases made through these links at no cost to you study pagan Roots of modern funeral Prectice from. Desire to have and Aristotle powers of nature to either the cemetery a flowers. A Christian death custom, our ancient pagan ancestors from certain countries their. Some folks, bereavement jewelry is making quite a comeback, using different wood than earlier. At cake, we learn to savor the time we have as a baby is cleansed upon birth via! A baby is cleansed upon birth ( via bathing or baptism, etc paying honors to Odin the. A rebirth my family are not as widely known or understood as the major religions understood the... Ordained high priest or priestess to officiate put in the society through these links at no cost to you,. 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pagan funeral traditions