Hi folks,

I'm an Asatruar and yesterday evening my cat died. I've said my personal goodbyes to him but now I have to dispose of his body. I don't want to immediately rush in to burying him in the back garden. It seems more appropriate as an Asatrur to have fire and mead involved, in a goodbye cremation ceremony.

Has anybody done this before and have any tips to share, or does anybody have any other suggestions on what to do instead? Also what would one do with the skeletal remains, and any ashes that could be collected?

Although there is no immediate need for this to occur in the next several hours, I don't want his dead body to lay around for too long so I would like to do something Monday evening or Monday night/Tuesday morning if I have a plan by then.

Although I am of course upset, I'm not squeemish and am quite sure I can deal with what needs to be done to perform any ceremony or ritual that's a bit more involved then just dumping him in to a hole in the ground. Please don't hold back any suggestions because of any worry it might be seen as "too heavy". I'm keen to do what needs to be done according to the old customs to give my friend an appropriate and loud send-off.

Kindest thanks for all your thoughts on this unfortunate matter.

Blessed be

First of all, I can understand you are upset. However there are no accounts of people essentially giving a human funeral to an animal. We know that people kept animals not just for the pot but I think it would be totally strange to give the animal some kind of large funeral unless as part of a larger human burial.

You need to bury this animal, not cremate it. Home done cremation would be messy as hell and wouldn't be effective because the fire simply wouldn't be hot enough. Also would you really want to see your friend immolated? Burning something like that is a really gross process to watch because of what happens to the body. Then there is also the probability of burning hair and skin and fat ending up all over the place (even sticking to you). It's really not a good way to go.

I think it would be better to bury the cat. Before ideas of Valhalla and burning things came along, people believed that the dead lived on inside the burial mound and so it was preferable to them to bury. They believed the dead remained around for as long as the remains did and so if they really loved someone in life, naturally they would want to keep them around for as long as possible? This may sound cruel, but they also didn't believe in the soul in the same sense that people do now. They didn't believe that it could detatch from the body and fly away off to valhalla or wherever. No, the 'soul' and the body were very much integral parts of each other.

If I were you, I would bury your cat asap (because corpses cause illness if left around the home), I would leave some of its favourite food in a bowl above the spot you bury it and I would ask Freyja to look after Zsa Zsa. Then I would keep an eye out for Zsa Zsa knocking about your home in future.

Please don't cremate your cat...you could actually make things worse for yourself, mess up Zsa Zsa's send off and end up in trouble with the public health lot.

I have to agree with Elswyth on this one. Cremation fires are much much hotter than you could ever get a bonfire to in your garden. Messy job best left to the experts. and yes you could get into trouble with the H & S lot. All it would need would be someone to complain about the smell, and trust me there will be smell.

If you really want the cat cremated your local vet will be able to point you in the direction of someone who could do that for you.

Well you don't have to agree

To be honest, I think you would be certain to get complaints and not just from the smell. An interesting and yet disgusting fact about witch burnings is that the spectators would often be burnt by bits of flying hair and skin that would then adhere itself to them. There are also tales of people going home from witch burnings with fat from the deceased stuck to their shoes. Your neighbours wouldn't be too ennamoured with having bits of dead animal melted onto their house walls/doors/windows.

Just in case you haven't done it yet and want another point of view, I once cremated a dead fox on a bonfire at the bottom of the garden (quite a big bonfire mind you). The smell was no worse than a barby after the hair had gone and i noticed none of the unfortunate side effects found in human cremations, foxes and cats being slightly smaller and less fatty. I was left with a shoebox full of bit of bone though which might not be to your taste.
As for H&S, any bonfire will produce a variety of smells especially if there are bits of plastic or rubber or cloth on them which would present a worse problem so i wouldn't worry about it. You do need to prepare the fire well first because yo can't really add to it after it has started.
Sorry for your loss.

Hi folks,

Thanks for your thoughts so far, it's given me some things to think about.

This pet has been with me a long time and he really is a very close part of my life so I want to give him a send-off no less than I would give to any of my human friends. The idea of a burial mound doesn't appeal to me too much to be honest.

As for cremation, I'm not even remotely concerned about my neighbours or H&S people. By the time they stuck their beaks in to my personal rituals it would be too late anyway, and I think they would be under no illusion as to where they could stick their beaks. I don't think it would be a problem anyway because at the end of the garden there is nothing around and I have regular fires there anyway which I'm sure they're used to by now. I've even done some skyclad rituals and not had any complaints

I don't think that a cat would produce quite the spectacular result as exploding witches and if the fox is anything to go buy, it should be even less than that since he's not a huge cat.

I understand I would need quite a hefty fire to pull this off and I think I could stomach the smell of BBQ'd cat. As for the remains, it wouldn't be a big problem, in a way I would like something left that I could keep in the house so part of him will always be near me.

The vets have quoted me something like £23 for a mass cremation (which I am quite against because it seems extremely impersonal) and £90 for an individual cremation with ashes back. I'm starting to prefer the idea of doing it myself because it will be much more personal and I would rather use the money to honour his memory somehow, likely with a donation to the charity where I rescued him from so they can help other cats.

I'm going to think on it for the next few hours, check for any more replies and get on with something this evening probably. I have moved him outside now so am quite keen for him not to stay there. I know in some indian countries they cremate human remains so will see if I can get any more information on that too.

Again, many thanks for your thoughts so far. I really do appreciate them all.

Blessed be

Hi there
So very sorry for your loss. I think saving money on a vetinary cremation is a wise move - the money would be much better spent on the charity where you rescused your companion.
However, I would be more inclined towards burial myself - return him to the cycle, as it were? I know you have said that you are not worried about smell or anything, but having lost quite a few cats over the years and knowing how much that hurt, I don't think I could handle the act of cremation. But thats just me.
You need to do whatever you feel is best. But I would advise doing it tonight - weather permitting.

Sorry for your loss...My dog died a few months back and she had been with me for 15yrs i understand how it feels...I had her cremated via our vets and she is still in her special box in my living room as i just cant seem to let go really

I will be placing her on my baby nieces grave once it has settled so they can look after each other ....

I would agree it is best to either bury your little friend somewhere close or get a profestional to deal with the cremation...It would not be a good after thought of your cat to see it burn and be left with certain memories that could have been avoided...

I do send you best wishes and hope you settle your issue in good time...

BB seg xx

Cremation is not a pretty sight but after a short while the flames are too intense to see anything anyway. I suppose it depends on your imagination. Worms vs. flames.
You need to build a pyramid with wood that burns hot. and when the fire is finished don't be tempted to put it out too soon as the embers do a lot of work.
Let us know what ever you decide.

Not quite spectacular enough?



I wasn't on about exploding witches. Who mentioned anything about them exploding? The exploding ones were usually burnt with dynamite especially for that purpose but that was usually only added if they repented...an act of kindness if you will...

Look, it sounds like you had already decided what you wanted to do before you even posted. You were probably just looking for approval for the Ibn Fadlan style burial for an animal.

Either way it is not my issue. It is for you to deal with the neighbours and H&S(should it come to that). I just feel sad that should you get in trouble, you will probably put it down to being an Asatruar/Heathen and we will all get tarred with the same brush. I also think that the lack of regard for the neighbours doesn't really reflect Asatru values very well.

" ... so I want to give him a send-off no less than I would give to any of my human friends." Er, you are in the habit of solo cremating your deceased human friends ? I would hope not.

As Elswyth says, sounds like you had already made your mind up what to do before you posted. I understand the idea of not wanting to pay out for the individual cremation and agree that the money would be better spent on helping other animals. I am concerned about your lack of consideration for H & S rules and your neighbours, even though you say the latter wouldn't mind and you don't care about the former. Perhaps you came across more harshly than you intended due to grief but there are good practical reasons for thinking of these things.

Anyway .. I hope if you carried this out it went according to plan and it will help you with your grief for your cat friend.

Oh deary me and cough cough, cough. Etk.


The anmial has died. Send it forthe in whatevr manner seems apropropriate.


End of.

I don't see how health and safety can possibly come into it. November the fifth??! Lots of people burning stuff then, fireworks, burning wool, clothes and toxic, newspaper filled guys, barbys, burnt potatoes, small children getting scarred for life. I think it is the proportion of the event which is misunderstood. It's a cat. Small creature especially without fur and anyway if Azsatru prefers a pyre then wtf, should it not be his choice? Some people actually have nice neighbours too who don't protest at every single thing that is going on.

Fine, burn the animal, just don't pretend it's Asatru.

Well, funeral pyres are illegal in the UK (which is a shame, cos I want one), although I am not sure about animals. However, H&S aside, the nasty smoke sent up by burning a whole dead body (not a juicy steak like on a BBQ) would be enough for the neighbours to have a few words with Environmental Health. This would probably only result in a pointed letter, but who in their right mind would want to alienate their neighbours?

Bury the poor thing in some glade somewhere. The cat is dead - its spirit is long gone. Stop trying to be 'paganner-than-thou' with your spooky goings on. If you want to burn the cat, burn it, but don't go around all 'ooooh look at how pagan I am. I am BURNING a CAT!!' You're just trying to be edgy. So 90s!

One of the biggest tenets of Asatru is that of community, alienating neighbours is a less than idea situation for an Asatruar to be in.

Actually, in my book, " nice " neighbours are ones who, regardless of their religious or spiritual path, have consideration for others, the community and the shared environment in which all have to live. I have to deal with the fallout from people's lack of " neighbourliness ", 6 days a week, in two different jobs. It is not pleasant and its mostly avoidable.

Good, am glad it's not just me that thinks that way!

It's not really the place to discuss this and I don't mean to upset Azsatru but I think we need to see this realistically. I don't know what an asatru is or what one does or how rigidly these rules apply so shan't comment but at a practical level i do know about burning. If you take the average juicy BBQ steak and weigh the meat and fat on it you will find there is quite a lot more on a steak than on a cat. Cat is like a skinny rabbit. Multiply the juicy, fatty steak by 4 or 5 (one or two per person) and that is much more meat and bone than on a small mammal. Believe me i have done it as have my neighbours and there is no nasty smoke, the flames see to that, that is why funeral pyres are so effective. I have burnt squirrels, dormice, moles (they do smell) rabbit, a bit of hare if i remember a fox as mentioned and a small dog and quite a few rabbit skins. This, where i live, is acceptable practice and an excellent way of avoiding disease as it kills off all the parasites and the foxes and badgers and dogs and cats don't dig the rotting carcases up and get ill by eating putrid meat. The local authority recommends it for small animals.
Perhaps you should try it sometime then you will know.
Annoying pollution wold probably come more from cars and lorries than funereal cats.

Perhaps, but in the UK such a burning would in all likelihood come under the heading of "anti-social behaviour". And, to be honest, quite right too. It's no less anti-social or offensive or distressing to the general public than slaughtering animals in your average suburban garden. Which is quite sensibly prohibited by law. I take it Azsatru, you DO live in a suburban garden? We're not talking about the kind of relative wilderness which Woozle is lucky enough to dwell in which makes this whole thread redundant?

Sorry, I'm a Pagan and I would be REALLY offended/hacked off if my neighbours started burning their deceased animals in their garden. Equally, I'm a Pagan cat owner and I think it would show more respect to the animal to either bury the body, or have a professional cremate so that I can scatter the ashes. And, not being Heathen, I have to trust Elswyth that there would be nothing particularly "Astaru" about attempting the cremation yourself.

Well, if something akin to a real Heathen sending off is wanted, in this country it would probably be more the case of burying the cat under a model longboat, along with its personal effects and few other dead animals to give it kudos in the afterlife.

The Viking Kittens make it to the after'life'!!!!!!!!!!


However seeing as it is a cat we are talking about, people wouldn't have gone to such trouble over it. I have only ever read of dogs being included in burial rites but only as part of the burial rites of their deceased masters.

Oh gawds, I seem to have started a bit of an argument in here

The cat has been burnt in a private ceremony in the garden with some close friends. There wasn't much left but what was left has been buried in a small hole. I feel like I can move on a bit now but I am still very sad.

While I was waiting to decide what to do, I was having some pretty bad nightmares and not sleeping properly and last night was the first night of proper sleep I've had since it happened.

I will try and answer the thoughts you've all been kind enough to share.

Thanks for your comments. To be honest I don't think I would feel comfortable burying him as I have done various others (small rodents) over the years. I would feel like he was being discarded if I did that. It's hard to explain how much of a friend he was to me, often being the only one when I've had some very low points in my life. I think I got much more out of him than he ever could realise

Thanks for your thoughts, and I too am sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. After 15 whole years that must have been very painful. I like your idea of where to place her though, that's a very nice sentiment.

Thanks, I followed your suggestion and it worked very well. It burnt for quite some hours which wasn't too bad, and there was hardly any real smell. After the pyre had collapsed in there wasn't really much to see but it was nice to have something which lasted a while rather than dumping him in a cold hole and that was the end :S

No it wouldn't have been spectacular enough. But I'm the first to admit that I like to make a point out of important things. Although I have been known to even get excited over small things, like when the toaster has finished.

As for exploding witches, it was simply the mental image I had of burning a witch and pieces of them flying off on to the spectators who quite rightfully deserve a face full of fat.

I hadn't already decided what I wanted to do when I posted, and I wasn't really looking for approval (I tend not to care about approval for most the things I do in life). I was looking for ideas and suggestions from those with experience, but I was leaning in the direction of a home cremation for my little friend. I was open to any and all suggestions and did consider everything.

As for my neighbours, I could write pages and pages on the nasty things they do to our household (myself and lodgers). They are a continual pain in the proverbial, but we *try* to get along. But for something as important to me as this, I couldn't care one iota for them. We tend to ignore each other, like earlier when they were aiming fireworks at our windows.

For the most part, I try to ignore them and rise above it. They're not of these lands and I don't see why, for anybody, I shouldn't do what I want to do. Also beurocrats will never dictate to me what I should and shouldn't do. There's no such thing as thought crime and I refuse to live in fear of a state which wants to nanny my every action.

If H&S have a problem it would have been a welcome distraction to scare them off with such weapons as common sense, logic and free thinking. They don't seem to like these at all :S

It is they who don't lead honourable lives, I will not be judged by them or anybody else who wants to question my worth as an Asatruar. But I agree there is a certain segment of heathens who don't do us many favours with their behaviours and attitudes - but I try not to judge them; I find the holier-than-thou stance a bit pretentious for me personally.

I don't see why they would have involved themselves but they were aiming rockets at my windows tonight

The only thing I do is try and time any fires I do have to coincide with them putting their washing out on the line OK, I'm a bad, bad man lol

The ceremony was very Asatru, it was definitely a worthy send-off for my little friend. We gave blot and recalled many happy memories, drank a bit during the fire and spent the night trying to concentrate on what was good about him and not be too unhappy.

It's a shame you seem so negative about something which is supposed to be positive

There have been several permits for pyres in the UK recently, mainly for asian religions. I expect the same permission to be granted to me when I finally snuff it.

If you would stop being judgemental for a moment and want to gather the facts, then you would soon learn it is my neighbours who alienate themselves from the rest of the street. I am friends with a large number of neighbours; they certainly aren't.

As as for Environmental Health, if I can forego calling them every time they cook, I am sure they can learn tolerance also.

There's not really any need for that whatsoever.

I'm sure you've had your fair share of dealing with "plastic pagans", but that's not really an excuse to start being nasty to people you don't know, and who are currently grieving a sad loss. For shame.

I will mention this to them during our next over-the-fence chinwag


That'll be me


I know at least 1 street that would disagree with that lol Mainly the ones who have had their cars keyed, things stolen from their garden and graffiti spraypainted on their sheds and walls.


It does scare me why so many of you have jumped to the conclusion that *I* am the bad neighbour here. I thought it was christians who were supposed to have judgement as hobby

I kind of glanced over this post at the "juicy BBQ stake" bit but I'm sure you have a good point.

I do live in suburbs, as far on the edge of town you can get (fields next door). There was only 1 cat, so "starting to burn their deceased animals in their garden" implies it would happen every other day. This is certainly not the case and I think you're being a little sensationalist about it.

I generally get hacked off at my neighbours for playing loud indian music at 3am and throwing used nappies in my garden. But there you go; somehow I learn to cope and deal with life. If they can't handle a single personal cremation on my own land, then they're free to move. I will even be neighbourly and help them pack.

I think that's the only post in the last 20 that made me laugh. Most the rest seem to be judging me for being a bad heathen and terrible person. It's nice somebody at least can keep this all in perspective without judgements and insults. For this, I thank you

I should hope so! lolol

Ok Asatru, you were asking for Asatru advice. I gave you Asatru advice:

* Burial is more accurate
* No one would have gone all out for a moggy back then

Fine, burn your cat but don't say it's a part of Asatru to cremate your pets in the back yard. The action of a blot is Asatru but bloting a cat would be considered weird and not in keeping with the lore.

This what you said kind of intrigues me:


Why does it matter if they are from these lands or no?Surely shitty neighbours are shitty neighbours no matter where they are from? That's the important point, that they are shitty, oder? The nationality has nothing to do with it maybe.



It's not particularly a holier than thou stance, some people have to stand up and call shit for what it is when they see it or we will end up with an ecclectic mumbo-jumbo that means nothing in terms of the actual lore and what we claim to be and be reconstructing!

Ugh, the 'I am the persecuted one here' defence. I see it every day with people who just want to hear agreement with their antisocial practices. If you are saying that you abhor certain behaviour, why would you then go and do the exact same thing?


You were grieving so hard you came onto a forum to discuss how to burn your cat's body, and to argue with everyone who didn't say what you wanted to hear! Scuse me if I don't post 'Poor widdle azsatru' everytime you feel the need for validation, but if you read a few of my posts you may come to understand that I don't suffer fools gladly, and your post and subsequent behaviour was foolish.

If it comes to a choice between saying what I think and feel is right, and alienating my neighbours and forum mates because of some imagined persecution, I know which way I will be going. You got what you deserved.

Mod Hat on -

There have been some excellent replies and discussions on this thread about whether a cat cremation is or isn't Asatrau practice, but it's now veering unpleasantly down a whole other avenue of insults and attacks.

Please take this as a reminder to everyone to stay civil and on-topic.

Out of interest Azsatru, what research DID you do in Norse/Germanic/Teutonic etc lore, history, etc to lead you to the conclusion that after all, cremating your cat in the face of all modern custom, courtesy and authority WAS quite acceptable and WAS actually Astaru?

Hi azsatru,
I'm once again sorry for your loss - and also glad that this particular hurdle is behind you. You did what you felt was best for you and your situation - irrespective of whether or not it adheres to a particular "lore".

Why do you write the word lore with the speech marks?

It's not even a point that is debated, Asatru has a rather large body of literature that is considered to be lore.

Also, the OP did ask for Asatru advice which means he was essentially asking about the lore.

..because thats what its called... a "lore"??

hi Asatru
i cant give you any advice especially as im too late anyway.Also i know very little about the pagan ways any of them there are so many but i do know as a cat lover how you are feeling.( i have lost cats in my time and my mum buried hers in the garden in august) As long as what you have done can bring peace to you and a knowledge that your baby is safe somewhere still loving you and free from any pain then you have done the right thing. I hope you find the strenght to care for another one soon but remember the cat you just lost hasnt gone away hes just gone on ahead take care
alice

You're making no sense. Please explain?

Hiya
How does that not make sense? Its in inverted commas because its called a Lore? I don't see where this is going?

I think what Elswyth is getting at is that when you put something like that in inverted commas, it denotes that the word is being used advisedly, ie, to be treated with some degree of scepticism and disbelief. For example, that it doesn't exist or that it deserves some ridicule.

Thanks Pomona

Ahhh i see! No, no not at all! Thats not what I meant Sorry for the confusion

Thank goodness for that!!!

Glad the confusion is cleared up