 The Druid's PathKeltrian Funeral Rite
Adapted from the Henge of Keltria Book of Ritual
by Baisteadh
Theology:
In researching what a funeral rite would involve for a Keltrian, I found there were several theological considerations. As neo-pagans we believe that the spirit lives on after death. As nature regenerates new life, so our spirit will return to new life again. This means we believe that after a period of rest in the Otherworld (with the Ancestors), the spirit will reincarnate in our world. We also have a need to grieve the loss of the physical person we once knew and loved.
A funeral is an important time to recognize this loss and begin to express that grief. We know that the spirit lives on, but the person we once knew is not with us in the same form any longer. For this reason, I have found it appropriate to call the spirit of the deceased to join us while consecrating sacred space, when we call the Druids, Seers and Bards of the present. When we return the Ancestors to the Cauldron of Sea, we ask the spirit of the deceased to join them. In this way we ritualize for ourselves the movement of the spirit of this person from our realm to the realm of the Ancestors. I have also included the use of a remembrance of the deceased that can be made for each participant and each participant can take one to use at the next Samhain Feast to honor the departed as they honor other Ancestors. This allows us to remember the spirit of those who have departed from us physically. You may also wish to pass the Ancestor Cauldron at the Grove’s Choice portion of the Rite to allow each person a chance to remember the deceased in his/her own way.
Mannanan has been chosen for his role as the God of the Sea and the Keeper of the Veil between the Worlds. The Morrigan has been chosen for her role as the Goddess of Death. You may chose other Deities as you see fit. I have kept the ritual similar to those for the seasonal celebrations. As such, a devotional is offered to the Patron and Matron in return for the gifts of transformation, strength and guidance as we mark the passing of the deceased.
Purpose:
The main purposes of a Keltrian Funeral Rite are to remember the person who has died, mark the death of the physical body and the release of the spirit into the Otherworld, and to remember the wheel of death and life as it pertains to our belief in reincarnation.
Preparation:
You will want to discuss issues like what to do with the body, where to hold ritual and who will perform the ritual as soon as you can. A helpful resource is Starhawk’s The Pagan Book of Living and Dying (a good reference book for any Grove Leader to have on hand). You will have to decide on if the body (or ashes) will be present in the ritual and what place they will take in the ritual. The ritual is written so that this portion is adaptable. The ritual is also written so that a group (such as the deceased’s grove) may gather in a location away from the remains and still mark the death of the person. You can use a photo or other representation of the deceased instead of the actual remains. This is certainly a “neo-pagan” way of representing the loved one at his/her own funeral. The representation may be burned in the sacred fire as a representation of sending the spirit of the deceased to the Otherworld. Or may be used as a focal point in the ritual for any other desired purposes.
You will also want to give particular attention to those in the group who may need to further process their grief. A good way to get everyone started is to use the Ancestor Cauldron to pass at Grove’s Choice and allow each person to speak a few words, sing a song or whatever their heart feels for the deceased. A silent remembrance is also perfectly suitable.
You will also want to discuss timing of the ritual. Dusk or dawn are the preferred times. You may want to hold the funeral right away or maybe have a three-day wake period first. You may want to have the remains buried first, or right after. All of this needs to be discussed by the family and the Druid/s performing the rite.
You may want to use a special song for Grove’s Choice that focuses on the neo-pagan view of death. Starhawk has several poems and songs in her book. I also enjoy Loreena McKennitt’s Dante’s Prayer from her The Book of Secrets CD. Other favorites of mine are the Waterboys’ Spirit and Saints and Angels found on the CD set Live Adventures of the Waterboys and other albums by them. I also like Steve McDonald’s Soldier’s Lament on his Sons of Somerlad CD. You may have to work with some of the words a bit to “paganize” them. Like changing saints and angels to other words like Gods and Goddesses.
Site Preparation:
Set up for standard Keltrian ritual with a few additions. You may wish to use a black altar cloth to symbolize the focus on the Otherworld. You may also wish to place the representation of the deceased (photo, article of clothing, favorite object, etc.) on the altar ahead of time. You may also find it appropriate for a special loved one, such as a spouse or parent, to carry this object with them in the procession and then place on the altar as they take their place.
You will want to check out local restrictions if you are using a public gathering place. You may not be able to light a fire indoors for example. You may need to spiritually cleanse the area before and after ritual also.
Funeral Ritual
As per standard ritual, all process to the chosen ritual space and receive the tri-line blessing.
Define Sacred Space as per standard format, including the deceased in the calling of the Druids, Bards and Seers of the present:
"I call [name of deceased] and the Bards, Druids and Seers of the present to join us, in this, our Sacred Rite of Passage."
D1: We are gathered to commemorate the resting of [name of deceased] in the Otherworld.
ALL: Sing Unity Song (such as People of the Oak) (opt.)
BARD: Leads in a Tree Meditation
D1: Let the veil be parted.
S: Parts the veil.
ALL: Sing “Mannanan Chant.”
C1: Invokes Ancestors into Cauldron of Sea and anoints each participant per standard ritual format.
ALL: Sing “Ancestor Chant.”
C2: Invokes Nature Spirits into Cauldron of Earth and anoints each participant per standard ritual format.
ALL: Sing “Fur and Feather Chant.”
C3: Invokes Gods and Goddesses into Cauldron of Sky and anoints each participant per standard ritual format.
ALL: Sing “Gods Chant.”
D1: Wherefore have we gathered upon this [day/night]?
D2: To remember [name of deceased], who recently began the journey to the Otherworld.
D1: Why do we gather?
D2: To remember that the wheel of life and death still rolls on, what dies, lives again. To release our [brother/sister/friend/grovemate] by our expression of love and grief in this time of passing between worlds.
D1: Whom do we call on this [day/night] to join us?
D2: We call the Morrigan and Mannanan.
D1: Why have we chosen these Deities for this occasion?
D2: We ask Mannanan to guide [name of deceased] to the Otherworld safely. We ask the Morrigan to watch over [name of deceased] while they rest with our Ancestors. We also ask Mannanan and the Morrigan to safely guide [name of deceased] back to our Earthly home when the time has come to return again.
D1: Let us call our chosen Deities.
D2: Takes the altar candle and invokes the Morrigan from the incense cauldron into the candle flame:
D2: O Morrigan, Goddess of death and rebirth. I, [magickal name] ask you to join us. Enter this flame. Be with us, and with [name of deceased] as we remember [name of deceased] and mark [his/her] passing to the Otherworld.
D1: Does the same for Mannanan with remaining candle:
D1: O Mannanan, God of the Sea, transporter of spirit between Worlds. I [magickal name] ask you to join us. Enter this flame. Be with us, and with [name of deceased] as we remember [name of deceased] and mark [his/her] passing to the Otherworld.
D1 and D2: Approach center fire cauldron/fire pit with candles.
D2: O Morrigan…
D1: O Mannanan…
BOTH: With the flames of your spirits, we kindle the sacred fire.
D1 and D2: Kindle the Grove fire with candles, then return to the altar.
Devotionals and offerings are gathered. At this time those present may wish to offer a remembrance of the departed to the Gods and Goddesses as an offertory. This could be a poem, song or personal article.
D1: Takes the sickle and branch from the altar and holds over offertory.
Morrigan, Mannanan, be strengthened by the energies of these gifts we send to you. So be it.
Touches sickle to branch.
D1: Places offertory into the sacred fire, if outdoors. If indoors, offertory is wrapped in white linen to be burned at the next outdoor ritual.
ALL: Groves’ Choice
Activities you may consider for a Grove’s Choice are:
To pass the Ancestor Cauldron to each of those gathered to relate stories, songs, poems, prayers for safe passage, or other works of remembrance of the deceased.
You may wish to sing or play on a CD or tape player a song about the pagan view of reincarnation (some suggestions were included in the preparation section).
You may wish to give each person present a remembrance of the deceased to use at the next Samhain as a reminder that they are now part of the Ancestors that we remember at Samhain. This could be a painted stone, symbol of something the deceased enjoyed or a copy of a photo. Maybe a stick carved with the departed one’s magickal name in ogham would be appropriate.
D2: Removes the chalices of water and mead from the altar.
D1: Removes the sickle from the altar.
Morrigan, Mannanan, we have given our praise to you. We ask that you give us strength and guidance as we grieve the passing of [name of deceased].
Touches sickle blade to branch.
ALL: So be it!
D2: Behold the waters of transformation and guidance!
Pours small amount of each chalice onto ground or, if indoors, into a libation bowl. Chalices are passed sunwise for all to drink.
ALL: Sing “Mead Chant.”
D2: We have received the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses. Our closing draws near. Let us now thank those whom we have called.
Bid farewell to the Morrigan, Mannanan, Gods and Goddesses and Nature Spirits.
Bidding farewell to the Ancestors:
C1: Ancestors, we thank you for joining us in this our Rite of Passage for [name of deceased] into the Otherworld. Welcome [name of deceased] into your home. [Name of deceased] we will miss you, but will always remember you with our Ancestors, travel safe and well. I bid you, Ancestors, let your spirit return to the Cauldron of Sea. So be it!
S: Close the veil.
BARD: Reverse the tree meditation.
D1: We have gathered to honor the Rite of Passage of [name of deceased] into the Otherworld. As [name of deceased] has joined the Ancestors, so we will once again return to our World sustained by our communion with the Gods and Goddesses.
D2: Let us return now to our World.
D1: It is done. Walk with Wisdom.
ALL: Sing “Walk with Wisdom.”
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