A pagan funeral, also known as a burial or memorial ceremony, is a ritualistic event that celebrates and honors the life and death of an individual who adheres to pagan beliefs and traditions. Paganism encompasses a wide range of spiritual practices that are rooted in nature, polytheism, and a deep reverence for the Earth. In pagan funeral ceremonies, the focus is often placed on the cyclical nature of life and death, as well as the interconnectedness of all living beings. These ceremonies may incorporate elements such as bonfires, sacred chants, drumming, and the use of symbolic objects like candles, herbs, and crystals. Pagan funerals typically take place outdoors, in natural settings such as forests, meadows, or other serene environments. This is because paganism emphasizes the spiritual connection between humans and the natural world, and views nature as an integral part of the life and death cycle.
Pagan Funerals
Modern Paganism, sometimes called Neopaganism, is an umbrella term for a wide variety of spiritual beliefs, including people identifying as Wiccans, Druids and Shamans, to name but a few. 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.
Pagans’ beliefs usually revolve around a deep respect for all living things. 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.
Pagans may have different beliefs about what happens after death, but many believe in reincarnation, or the union of the spirit with nature.
Planning a Pagan funeral service
Valentine & Turner offer services for all religions and beliefs, including Pagan or Wiccan funerals. We believe that there is no right or wrong way to say goodbye to someone you love only your way: we are open to helping you arrange your loved one’s funeral with any ceremonies and options you have in mind.
If your loved one wanted a natural burial , we will be able to help you with this and find a suitable natural burial ground near to you.
We will also be able to help you find a Pagan celebrant who has experience leading Pagan funeral services.
Pagan funeral traditions
Because the word ‘Pagan’ can encompass many different beliefs, it is hard to define a set of traditions that are always observed at a Pagan funeral. It is usually a matter of personal preference, reflecting the particular beliefs of the person who has died.
Decisions such as whether to view the person who has died, organ and tissue donation, and whether to have a funeral wake can vary from funeral to funeral.
Both burial and cremation are generally accepted by those with Pagan beliefs, although they are more likely to choose natural burial , in accordance with their respect for nature.
Pagan funerals
Pagan or Wiccan funerals may take place outside, to acknowledge the importance of nature in Pagan belief systems. Alternatively, they may take place in a crematorium or other venue, but Pagan-specific places of worship are relatively rare in the UK.
In some ways, the service may resemble a traditional funeral, including a eulogy , poetry readings, and prayers to the Goddess.
The Pagan funeral ceremony will usually include funeral music . This may be recorded music, or using live instruments such as drums.
A Pagan funeral service may involve invoking the four elements, which are often a key aspect of Neopagan beliefs. These are Air in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the West and Earth in the North. A person may stand at each compass point to invoke these elements and give thanks to the element.
There may be times during the service when the congregation is asked to join in by speaking a prayer. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, simply remain respectfully silent.
After a Pagan funeral
Depending on the family’s preferences, there may be a wake or reception after the funeral service. This may take the form of a traditional after-funeral reception, held in a private venue, restaurant or bar. There may be food and drink served.
Some Pagan and Wiccan funerals may be more informal than a traditional Christian service and the wake may reflect this. There may be music and even dancing, although this varies depending on the preferences of the family and the person who has died.
Pagan funeral etiquette
Many Pagans understand that their beliefs are not as widely known or understood as the major religions. Therefore, it is common for them to take the time to explain what is happening and what is expected during the funeral, for the benefit of those in attendance who may not be Pagan.
This means that as long as you follow any instructions and respectfully observe any rituals, you are unlikely to cause great offence. Simply treat the Pagan funeral ritual with the same respect as you would any other religious service.
Bear in mind that Pagan funeral services may be slightly more relaxed. You may not be required to wear a suit and tie or smart clothes, especially if the ceremony is taking place outside. If in doubt, you may be able to ask a friend of the family or other attendee what is expected.
Outline & Examples for Services
The following are a set of ritual outlines meant to cover the most common situations. In a funeral or memorial service, it is appropriate to start with a safe place to grieve and then finish with a more hopeful tone.
Details and Examples
Most funerals include both an indoor and a graveside ceremony. The indoor service provides a safe haven for the community to meet and mourn the dead without worrying about the weather. Neo-Pagans should not shun such practices, as we see many examples of such indoor rites in our Pagan past. Examples of these include the long borrows found in England, where the bones of the Blessed Dead were laid to rest, and the tents raised by the Athenians to honor fallen soldiers.
Decorations
For many Neo-Pagans, it is more appropriate to decorate a hall or chapel with potted plants or small live trees than to cut flowers or wreaths that will die. In this way, the live plants and trees can become their own memorials to the dead, living on to represent that the cycle of life still goes on.
It can also be appropriate to incorporate the person’s astrological sign into the decorations by utilizing associated colors or elements. For example, for a Water sign, you might display a bowl of water with the proper-colored floating candles in it and light the candles as part of the funeral.
Additionally, having representations of the four elements can be appropriate. Here is one set of items that could be used in any setting to represent the elements:
- Water — bowl of water with flower petals
- Earth — seeds, potted plants, a potted tree
- Fire — yellow candles, stones like garnets, a bowl of sand with cinnamon sticks
- Air — a quill feather or a pen
Place pictures of the deceased and objects that he or she cherished in life where they can be seen by those gathering for the funeral. You can also include “offerings to the dead,” such as seeds to represent rebirth or other small objects that can be safely buried in the grave or given to the family.
Preparation of the Body
Two forms of funerary practices are common: burial and cremation.
In the case of burial, the body should be washed in water* if at all possible and thanked for housing the soul that no longer requires it. If the body is not going to be embalmed, this must be done with some haste as the body begins to decay immediately. In addition, the body may have been damaged by the injury that was the cause of death. Handling a damaged or decomposing body may be traumatic for family or clergy not used to this practice.
In the case of cremation, or where washing the body is not possible or desired, then you may recommend the washing of some representation of the body, such as a stone. Check to see if any of the family members wish to be there during the preparation of the body.
Casket
Depending on the condition of the body and the wishes of the family, if an open casket is used, it may be most appropriate to have an open–casket ceremony with the opening set away from the other mourners. This gives an opportunity for those who wish to view the body to do so privately and shields the open casket from those who do not want to see the body.
People require different expressions of grief to find closure. Some need to see the body and even touch it to ensure that the spirit of the person has left the body, while others wish to remember the person in life and are uncomfortable with seeing a dead body.
It is best to not embalm the body, unless this is done in accordance with the deceased’s tradition. Embalming is a very unnatural process that replaces the bodily fluids with chemicals. Instead, family or clergy may want to check with the funeral home to see if the body can be kept at a low temperature.
As for the casket itself, you may want to recommend caskets with holes in them, such as those used in traditional Jewish burials. These caskets allow the body to decay naturally and thus return to the earth from which it came. Another appropriate option is to use eco-friendly caskets, which decay over time.
Cremation
Cremation is also a popular choice for funereal rites. Many Pagan societies, including the ancient Greeks, Romans and Scandinavians, used cremation.
One way to view cremation is as a separating of the body and the spirit, with the body being returned to dust.
In most Neo-Pagan practices a beloved animal is seen as being a part of the family. Given our view of animals as sentient beings who share this Earth with us, many of us may want to hold a service for an animal.
While the rituals here focus on humans they can also provide inspiration for funerals for animals. There is some wisdom in making a ritual for an animal be of shorter duration than for a human. As an example of a ritual that was written to be given to a mixed religious audience I am including a ritual I wrote in honor of a dog. I have changed the names to protect the privacy of those who remember her.
* There is no archeological proof that I know of that ancient Pagans washed their dead. We do have extensive archeological evidence of various Pagan funerary practices, ranging from burial of the dead in a fetal position, cremation, embalming and housing bones in burrows.
Having said this, washing the deceased’s body or a representation of the body can be healing as it helps us to deal with the reality that the person is no longer alive. If dealing with the actual body, this can be very effective, as loved ones observe the profound differences between a live and a dead body.
Additionally, it is a nice way to spend some time with the body and thank it for housing the person. Obviously, there may be many instances where this cannot be done. Since the body is so connected with the earth, a stone can be an appropriate substitute.
A Pagan Wiccan Death Ceremony
Yesterday I participated in my first Wiccan passing ceremony. It was for my beloved eldest sister-the first born of eight children and the first to die. She was also High Priestess of our coven.
Born into a Scottish Catholic family, she had been a Wiccan and witch for the past fourteen years.
When the funeral ceremony was being planned one of her daughters (also a coven member) said it was only proper that her mom have a Wiccan funeral.
It’s not the norm for Wiccans/pagans/witches to openly celebrate such events as weddings, new child, or deaths in our way with the blessings or acceptance of family, society or other religions, We usually keep them private. But I agreed because recently she had told me that she no longer would hide her Wiccan witch path.
I undertook the task of preparing a ceremony while keeping in mind that there would also be a Rosary in respect for our Catholic mother and relatives.
Our event would take place before the memorial celebration. The entire large Scottish clan was invited.
Her sisters, children, grandchildren and very few friends attended. Each person was smudged before entering the chapel. Her coven, donned in capes, gowns, witch hats or flowed wreaths and the few grandchildren participating gathered around the casket while in the pews, guests sat. She laid quietly (she was a quiet person in a crowd) in a forest-green cape and gown with a beautiful mother-of-peal shelled necklace. An altar was set in front of her.
Upon it were such things as lilies, chalice, salt, athame and various colored candles – including three image candles: black for transition, white, spirit transcending, red for rebirth. Frankincense and myrrh incense wafted lightly throughout the chapel. The four corners were called in and the circle was cast, the spell made fast and only good could enter therein. Three grandchildren drummed and another rang a bell before a blessing of her commenced. Hallowed words were spoken over her as she was cleansed with a special incense, ocean water and oils. A granddaughter dropped rose petals around the coffin. A sacred guided meditation was delivered followed by several Oms that vibrated throughout the room. The group chanted, “We All Come From the Goddess” three times. The circle was closed. All held hands singing Merry meet, merry part and merry meet.
It was truly magical, fitting for a most respected and well-loved High Priestess. Dear Sister Witch, rest peacefully in Slumberland. So Mote it Be.
This is because paganism emphasizes the spiritual connection between humans and the natural world, and views nature as an integral part of the life and death cycle. During a pagan funeral, family members and friends may come together to share stories, memories, and reflections about the deceased. This allows for a collective grieving experience and an opportunity to celebrate the person's life in a meaningful and personal way.
The rituals and customs of a pagan funeral vary depending on the specific pagan tradition or belief system followed by the deceased and their loved ones. Some pagans may choose to incorporate specific deities or spirits into the ceremony, while others may focus more on the general theme of nature, cycles, and the spiritual aspects of life and death. It is important to note that pagan funerals often emphasize personal autonomy and individual expression. Therefore, each ceremony may be unique and tailored to reflect the beliefs and preferences of the deceased and their loved ones. Pagan funerals can be both solemn and joyous occasions, as they honor the life and passage of an individual who embraced their pagan spirituality. These ceremonies provide an opportunity for loved ones to come together, find solace in nature, and honor the deceased's spiritual journey in a way that is meaningful and true to their pagan beliefs..
Reviews for "Exploring the Diversity of Pagan Funeral Practices around the World"
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