Paganism is a widespread religion with varied beliefs and practices. A common theme in pagan funerals is the celebration of life.

Paganism is often about the celebration of nature and life, honoring the earth and other creatures. This is reflected in how we conduct funerals.

As pagans, we view death as part of the cycle of life/death/rebirth.

Pagan Funerals

Funerals are a sad but immovable fact of life, and most of us have different ways of processing grief, loss, and the ceremonies which accompany these. For many, religion brings comfort, and the pagan way of handling death is often beautiful, harmonious, and full of celebration as well as sorrow.

Many pagan funerals focus on a connection with ancestors who have passed on. They view funerals as an opportunity to reflect on the cycles which make up life, and to give thanks for its renewal.

Pagan View of Death

Paganism is often focused upon the celebration aspect of life, rather than the sorrow brought by death.

Although there is certainly grief when a loved one dies, most pagans take death as an opportunity to pause and feel the majesty and energy of the world. They feel the connection of all beings and the beauty of nature’s design.

We honor the departed and reflect upon our ancestors and others who have gone before us. Although we may struggle with loss, we find peace in the turning of the wheel of life.

Many pagans have a belief in reincarnation. So there death is really a new beginning. The circle continues.

What Is A Pagan Funeral?

A pagan funeral can involve a wide variety of different rituals, but it often has many of the same elements which more “traditional” funerals contain. For example, it is still common to have readings, to bring flowers, and to play music, though none of these things are compulsory.

A pagan funeral often has familiar elements such as a eulogy, poetry readings, and prayers to a deity. The deity may be one that the person was particularly fond of or perhaps honoring Hecate.

Calling on spirit guides such as Iris, Thoth, Berchta or animal guides such as the snake and birds.

A common practice is to invoke the four elements. Persons may stand at the compass points and give thanks. In addition, the casket or urn may make a circle around the gathering to symbolize unity.

Pagan funerals may also include:

Anointing the deceased’s feet with oil such as angelica or chrysanthemum to speed their journey
Placing candles in a circle around the casket, body, or urn
Calling on pagan gods and goddesses for guidance
Frankincense and Myrrh are popular incense to burn
Open windows if inside to allow the release of the soul

You can read more about paganism on our Introduction to Paganism page.

Planning A Pagan Funeral

Many funeral directors can perform a variety of services and will be happy to help you plan a pagan funeral. As funeral directors, they often work with a variety of religious and spiritual leaders.

Planning a funeral is hard for any family who is also dealing with their loss. A good funeral director will guide you and help you plan the funeral you desire to have.

The funeral director can help you find an officiant based on your pagan practices. For Wiccans, this may be a priest or priestess or for Natives a shaman.

Pagan Eulogies

Again, a pagan eulogy can encompass many different elements. They tend to focus on a connection with the natural world or Mother Nature and discuss the process of providing nourishment for other life forms.

Pagan eulogies rarely focus upon heaven or hell; some pagans believe in reincarnation; others believe in an otherworld which is referred to as Summerland. Summerland is a place where souls rest and healed of life’s trauma before being born again.

Eulogies often contain personal stories and anecdotes, just as they might at other funerals. They explore the deceased’s history and the things which they will miss about the person.

There are several popular pagan books with suitable readings for a funeral. They include the Egyptian Book of the Dead, your Book of Shadows, and the Carmina Gadelica.

Invoking the Four Elements

Some pagan funerals include the invoking of the four elements. The four elements are Air in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the East, and Earth in the North. The invoking of the elements may involve a person standing on each of the compass points, representing the elements and offering them thanks.

Soul Releases

A soul release ceremony is another aspect of some pagan funerals, though not all. A soul release ceremony aims to help the soul move on to the light.

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. In these cases, a soul release can help them to move on.

Soul releases can help reassure mourners that the person who has died has found peace and can bring closure. A soul release is often conducted by a celebrant or priest, and while it can be performed anywhere, it is most suited to outdoor natural spaces.

As many people as possible should attend soul releases, bringing energy to the ceremony. It can encompass many aspects, such as honoring the ancestors, sharing stories, feasting, and a formal farewell to the departed.

Ritual to Honor the Soul

Paint or write the name of the deceased person on a piece of ash wood using white paint. Next, wrap a leather cord around the wood and bury it in their yard or natural space. Place a small cairn of stones over the place you buried the wood.

What Is A Natural Burial?

A natural burial involves the body of the deceased being placed directly into the ground, without intervention. There should be no embalming fluid, no casket, and no vault which might interfere with the decomposition of the body.

Natural burial grounds are usually considered suitable places and are open to people of all religions. They are often wild places with lots of nature, which makes them a welcoming space for pagans.

There are natural eco-friendly cemeteries in the USA. Some states allow for people to be buried on there land.

Cremation

Cremation can also be considered a natural burial. Ancient civilizations sometimes burned the body of the deceased.

The ashes can be spread in a natural or holy spot. They don’t have to be all in one spot. I spread my mother’s ashes under several of her favorite trees. We spread my aunt’s ashes at a brook where she loved to sit and draw.

Spreading Cremation Remains During A Ceremony

Spreading ashes is a common part of cremation, an aspect of dealing with the departed in a way that makes those who have stayed behind feel they are free from earthly constraints. It can bring a sense of peace and closure.

Many pagans choose to spread ashes in wild spaces, in keeping with their connection to nature. This could be on rivers, in gardens, up mountains, or in particularly well-loved walking spots. Alternatively, ashes could be thrown into the wind following the ceremony, representing the freedom of the spirit to travel as it chooses.

The spreading of ashes is an important symbol to many people, and most cremations are followed by this.

Pagan Funeral Flowers and Meanings

Unsurprisingly, flowers are very important in many pagan funerals. Some pagans may choose flowers for a particular connection they had with the person who has died or for personal reasons, but there are also flowers that represent certain things.

Understanding the language of flowers can make the ceremony more poignant.

Many choose to bring live plants to funerals, in keeping with paganism’s respect for nature. Some people choose buttercups, which represent childhood friendship. Others choose periwinkle, a nod to past meetings, while some take irises for respect and honor.

Another option, rosemary is for remembrance, and is a very popular selection for that reason. Zinnias, representative of missing friends, is another choice to mark the absence of the departed.

Honoring Our Ancestors

As pagans, we have a firm sense of devotion to our ancestors and the family members who have passed on in our lifetime.

We may celebrate the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead or simply place a picture of an ancestor on our altar.

Take Away

Pagan funerals are beautiful, open, and gentle experiences that reflect on the intricacies and balances of life. They celebrate nature and its cyclical workings and give thanks for the life which has been enjoyed.

Author, Katherine Fox, is our editor and one of our writers. She is currently raising a pagan husband and three children. They love getting outside and exploring the natural world. Katherine’s heritage is Native American (Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho) and Irish and she writes about family fun pagan activities, Native American and Celtic traditions.