Something that has been tickled my brain recently, it's been on my mind alot. But what happens at a Pagan funeral? I can't find much on the internet about it.

I have always been very aware of my mortality ever since I was a child. Still at only nineteen years of age you never know what tomorrow will bring, in terms of myself, my uncle and Auntie (who are also Pagans and obviously older) aswell as a couple of friends. I am curious to know and get some ideas incase either me or my Pagan relatives die. My family mainly consists of Christians, and my father is an Atheist. My own personal choice would be to avoid the Christian services if I can because I do not believe in it at all. I also don't think my Pagan relatives would want a Chritsian funeral either, but if they were to die today I wouldn't know what to do.

Many Thanks
Blessed Be
Mikey
xxxx

Not an easy question to answer because it really depends on the path of the pagan, their beliefs, what they consider is important in terms of those who will attend the funeral, what they want to happen with their remains... so many different considerations.

Funnily enough I'm on the hunt for someone who would beprepared to give a talk on Pagans and death (and dying) at a seminar I regularly attend in London. (any takers please PM me.)

BB

Mike

There is a link talking about this topic you may find useful:


http://thevalley.ukpagan.com/http://thevalley.ukpagan.com/index.php?showtopic=14582

Apart from there being as many different ways of doing things as there are pagans, there are quite a few legal restrictions on what you can and cannot do following death, as regards where and how you despose of the body.

I know of quite a few pagan friends who have seriously looked into this and thier best options have revolved around various Humanist services, and burials in designated woodland (no stone marker... just a tree) some have even stipulated recycled cardboard coffins.

Web searches on those topics tend to throw up a few places / ideas... but all tend to be a bit more complex / expensive / restricted than your usual stick-you-in-the-churchyard funerals or the burn you in the local crem option that most take.

Most Crematoria will do services that are secular... ie no involvment of religion, gods or faith. Again I know of some pagans who are content with this, knowing that they would really distress thier family behind if anything else was done. And then thier close pagan friends have arranged to get hold of some of the ashes and do a private ceromony with those.

Remember that funerals are really for those left behind... you have already gone on to where ever you belive is next.

Just thoughts.
Be bright, be bold
Fillionous

There is actually more flexibility with funerals than with other rights of passage such as marriage.

Once the death has been registered, then the body can be buried anywhere that the council will give permission for (certain restrictions about water courses, etc.)

Those planning a "Vikings" style funeral with a blazing ship on their local pond will, however, be disappointed, as these are not allowed. Cremation has to take place within crematoria.

As for the service, this can be conducted by anyone at all. Given the huge number of differing faiths in the UK, most crematoria have removable Christian symbols enabling short services for other faiths, including pagan, to take place. The only limit is time, you get 15-20 minutes maximum to file people in, say what needs to be said, and get everyone out again.

As has been said, there are many green burial options these days, and it might be that a Humanist or secular funeral is less upsetting to non-pagan relatives than a pagan one. Each situation is going to be different though and I know some non-pagans have taken comfort in giving a pagan send-off.

bb
Rhiannon