Pagan burial practices refer to the rituals and customs associated with the burial of individuals who followed pagan religions. These religions were prevalent in pre-Christian times and were characterized by their polytheistic beliefs and nature-based worship. Pagan burial practices varied greatly depending on the specific pagan culture and traditions, as well as the social status and individual beliefs of the deceased. In many pagan cultures, burial was seen as an important part of the transition from life to death. It was often believed that the deceased would continue their existence in an afterlife, and therefore a proper burial was essential to ensure a peaceful and successful journey. Pagan burials often involved elaborate rituals and ceremonies, which were performed by priests or shamans who acted as intermediaries between the living and the dead.
How Different Religions View Cremation
With a full range of cremation services in Oakwood, OH, the cremation planning process is comprehensive and offers many different options for memorializing loved ones and using the cremains to remember them perpetually. However, religious beliefs have always had an impact on funeral planning, and most of the world’s major religions have distinct ideas about cremation.
Religious beliefs about cremation sometimes change over time because of general trends in society and culture. They also can change because of logic and common sense, as well as practical reasons such as those that face very small countries or island countries where there is simply a finite amount of land available for burial.
It’s important to understand that individuals have the right to choose whether they want to be cremated or not. In Christianity, for example, the Bible does not forbid cremation as a funeral disposition choice. In fact, it doesn’t say anything at all about it.
But when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Constantine, cremations were associated with pagan worship. Specifically and significantly, though, dead people weren’t cremated. Instead, pagans offered living people as sacrifices to be burned in worship of their gods. This included both adults and children, and this practice is specifically condemned and prohibited in the Bible.
Regardless of the facts, Christianity discouraged people from being cremated for centuries. This dissuasion came to America through the English colonists and stayed entrenched in American culture through the 1960’s, when the Baby Boomer generation overturned societal norms, including opting for cremation as a means of final disposition of their bodies. Eventually, cremations became a common option for most Americans to consider.
The Catholic Church forbade cremations until the early 1960’s. In an updated policy from Pope Frances in 2016, cremations are allowed, but cremains must be kept in a sacred place and not scattered or home in an urn.
Protestant churches today leave the decision of whether to be cremated up to the individual. Cremation no longer has a stigma attached to it, so many Protestants are choosing it as their final disposition method.
In most cases, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not permit cremation. However, cremation is allowed under circumstances, but a priest must give approval before cremation can be done.
Judaism historically has forbidden cremation. However, today, whether cremation is permissible or not is dependent on the type of Judaism that is practice. Cremation is expressly forbidden for Orthodox Jews. Burial is preferred for Conservative Jews, but cremation is allowed. Cremation is perfectly acceptable for Reform Jews.
Cremation is prohibited without exception in Islam. Burial is the only sanctioned final disposition of the dead.
Buddhism permits cremation as a means of final disposition. Funeral rituals in Buddhism are identical whether a person is buried or cremated, and the rituals matter more than what happens to the deceased in the end. Chanting part of these rituals and monks, if they’re present, will chant during the cremation. If monks are not present, then the deceased’s family will do the chanting while their loved one is being cremated.
In Hinduism, cremation is preferable to burial, except for saints, babies, and children, who are considered to be detached from their bodies and perfectly pure, and can, therefore, be buried.
If you want to learn more about cremation services Oakwood, OH, our compassionate and experienced staff at Glickler Funeral Home & Cremation Service can help. You can come by our funeral home at 1849 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH 45406, or you can contact us today at (937) 278-4287.
Organizing a Memorial Service for a Pagan Family Member
The loss of a loved one can be exceptionally challenging to bear. But one way to honour their memory is to organize a funeral memorial service that is aligned with their spiritual beliefs.
If your loved one considered themselves a pagan, you can host a beautiful memorial service that celebrates nature and the wonders of the Earth.
At Perth Cremations , we can help you organize a memorial service according to your bespoke needs and requirements. Feel free to speak to us today to discuss your options.
What is paganism?
Paganism is a branch of spirituality that does not pertain to any specific religion. Instead, practitioners of paganism consider Mother Nature and the elements to be a form of divinity and focus on nature worship.
If your loved one considered themselves a pagan, you can give them a loving Pagan funeral memorial service that is aligned with pagan natural practices.
Tips to organize a pagan memorial service for your loved one
Different branches of paganism – such as Shamanism, Druidry, Wicca etc. – have different ceremonies prescribed for funerals. But one commonality between them all is the celebration of nature. When you’re planning a memorial service for a Pagan family member, consider doing the following:
1. Have wreaths made of local indigenous flowers and plants
Pagan practitioners celebrate the bounty of the land they live on. Having funeral wreaths made of local, indigenous flora is a great way to celebrate the beliefs of your loved one. You can check the symbolism of different local flowers online to infuse specific significance into the memorial service. For example, Irises for honour and respect.
2. Bring small statues of their matron/patron deities to the memorial service
Some pagans do worship deities – either Christian deities or gods & goddesses from another culture. If your loved one had a matron or patron deity, you can honour their beliefs by bringing the statues of the deity to the service and placing them next to the burial site. You can even keep these statutes on the burial site for a few more months.
3. Read poems on nature instead of religious verses
Poems on nature are one of the best offerings you can give to a Pagan loved one during their memorial service. Poems such as “ Rain Light ” by W.S. Merwin, “ Nothing Gold Can Stay ” by Robert Frost, “ I Thank You God for Most This Amazing ” by E.E. Cummings and “ The Grasses ” by Rumi are a few choices you can consider.
4. Encircle the burial site with candles
Many spiritual practitioners use candles in their practice. Candles represent the steadiness and brightness of the soul, and they represent divine light. A beautiful way to showcase your love for your family member is to light white candles around the burial site. White represents the purity of intention and renewal.
5. Light incense, sage and myrrh
Incense, sage and myrrh are herbs that are believed to have the power to remove negative energies. They infuse the air with positivity and power. Additionally, many Pagan rituals use incense as an offering to the divine. Lighting incense, sage and myrrh during the memorial service can be a wonderful way to help your loved one’s spirit connect with their matron/patron deity.
6. Place your local, seasonal fruits and vegetables as offerings on their gravesite
Just as with local flowers, indigenous and seasonal vegetables and fruits can make wonderful burial site offerings. This is a way to celebrate your loved one’s spiritual beliefs and also give back to the local community.
7. Consider burying them with their sacred altar tools or books
If your loved one had any sacred spiritual tools and/or books, you can consider burying them with them. While not all pagans use altar tools, some may use crystals, deity statutes, divination decks, chalice, spiritual books, etc.
At Perth Cremations , we understand the importance of honouring your loved one’s spiritual beliefs and wishes. We will help you organize a funeral memorial service that helps you celebrate their memory in the most beautiful, loving and authentic way possible. Contact us to speak to one of our memorial service directors today.
Pagan Funerals: Rites, Prayers & What to Expect
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Rooted in the ancient agrarian lifestyles, pagans around the globe hold great reverence for the powers of nature, women, and many deities. Pagan religions are known to have existed longer than Judaism, Christianity, or Hinduism. They’ve been around for as long as 10 or 15 thousand years.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Pagan View on Life and Death
- Pagan Funeral Ceremony Protocol
- Pagan Burial Customs and Soul Releases
The first recorded existence of pagan religions is in the works of Bede the Venerable who was a monk that lived around 735 AD. This was approximately the same era as Caedmon’s Dream of the Rood , which marks the earliest known mention of Christ in Old English literature.
Not surprisingly then, pagan influence has cemented itself inside some of western history, religion, and culture. Certain days of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) are named for Heathen gods.
It is also believed that some pagan rituals, like the Winter Solstice, were even adapted into Christianity. Even with the pejorative labels, judgment and fear attached Paganism has persisted. Despite this, so have their funeral customs.
Pagan burials often involved elaborate rituals and ceremonies, which were performed by priests or shamans who acted as intermediaries between the living and the dead. One common feature of pagan burials was the inclusion of grave goods. These were objects or items that were buried with the deceased and were thought to be useful or symbolic in the afterlife.
Pagan View on Life and Death
Within the many sects of Paganism, there are many beliefs about death, including the afterlife. Yet, life and death are eternally woven together, no matter the belief.
Unlike Christianity, Heathens believe in a great hall (or halls) where people go after they die. They don't believe in reincarnation or anything close to Christianity's view of heaven. Nor do they spend too much time mourning death as in other religions. Instead, they choose to celebrate life which was lived.
Druidry, much like Heathenism, holds a reverence for (Mother) nature. Here, Druidry becomes even more distinct. The geography where one lives also brings diversity to the religion. Whether you live in a temperate rainforest or an oak savanna, with the changes in topography come changes in the gods celebrated.
Like Druidry and Heathenism, both Shamanism and Wicca believe in the transformative powers of nature. Shamanism heals by working with the spirits within nature, whereas Wicca heals by utilizing the gifts granted by nature itself.
The difference is that Shamanism is isolationist and tribal, while Wiccan beings share some beliefs with the spiritually minded. Both are dogmatic.
Hellenism, like the aforementioned pagan spiritualities, is also polytheistic. The divergence here is that one will discover a reverence for the gods of ancient Greece instead of one in nature.
Hellenists align themselves with philosophers—like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Their goal is to achieve civility and a higher mentality.
Unlike most religions, Hellenistic Gods are tangible; they are present in daily 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.
Upon death, pagan spirits travel to the afterlife. They may reach Summerland, or the Otherworld—places of eternal youth, health, and abundance.
Others believe that they are reincarnated, which is a belief not only found in Hinduism but also believed to be of great influence on Roman thought. 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.
Grave goods could include weapons, jewelry, tools, food, or even live animals. The selection of grave goods often reflected the deceased's social status, occupation, or personal beliefs. For example, warriors might be buried with their weapons, while wealthy individuals might have expensive jewelry or precious metals included in their burials. Pagan burials also often involved the use of sacred or significant locations. Ancient pagan cultures often believed in the sacredness of certain landscapes or natural features, such as mountains, rivers, or groves. These locations were believed to have a special connection to the gods or spirits, making them ideal for burials. Burials might take place in designated burial grounds, or individuals might be buried in natural landscapes believed to be sacred. The exact location of a burial site would often depend on the individual's social status, family ties, and personal beliefs. Furthermore, pagan burial ceremonies often involved specific rituals and prayers. These could include offerings to the gods or spirits, the recitation of specific chants or spells, or the performance of symbolic actions. Burial ceremonies were seen as a way to honor the deceased and ensure their safe passage into the afterlife. In some cases, ceremonies might also involve the participation of the community, with family members or friends playing an active role in the burial process. It is important to note that pagan burial practices varied widely across different cultures and regions. Pagan religions encompassed a wide range of belief systems and practices, meaning that burial customs could differ greatly between groups. Additionally, the introduction of Christianity and other monotheistic religions in many pagan regions led to the suppression or alteration of pagan burial practices. As a result, much of our knowledge about pagan burials comes from archaeology and historical records. In conclusion, pagan burial practices were diverse and varied, reflecting the unique beliefs and traditions of different pagan cultures. These practices often involved elaborate rituals, the use of grave goods, and the selection of sacred or significant locations. Pagan burial ceremonies were seen as a way to honor the deceased and ensure their successful transition into the afterlife, as well as to maintain the connection between the living and the dead..
Reviews for "Pagan Graves: Navigating the Line Between Religion and Archaeology"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "Pagan Burial" to be extremely slow-paced and lacking in suspense. The plot took too long to develop, and when it finally did, it failed to hold my interest. The characters were also poorly developed and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who enjoy fast-paced and thrilling mysteries.
2. John - 1 star
"Pagan Burial" was a complete letdown for me. The storyline felt predictable and cliché, with no real surprises or twists. The writing style was also subpar, lacking in creativity and originality. I found myself struggling to get through each page, as the narrative failed to engage me. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, leaving me feeling indifferent towards their fate. This book felt like a waste of time, and I regretted picking it up.
3. Emma - 2 stars
While the concept behind "Pagan Burial" initially intrigued me, the execution fell short of my expectations. The pacing was inconsistent, with long lulls between any significant developments. The author's attempt at creating suspense felt forced and contrived, leaving me bored rather than engaged. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving many loose ends. Overall, I was left unsatisfied by this book and have no desire to read anything else from this author in the future.