HRT: Peonian Funerals

Catching on to the ideas in my sermon, I've decided to write a bit about Peonian funerals.

In the evening the village gathers in the church for the funeral. The church is decorated (as usual) with flowers, straw and barley or needle leaf branches depending on the season. The dead one is placed on some kind of bench near the altar, head towards north, on a large piece of cloth, also decorated with flowers etc. There are candles or torches burning in the church.

The priest talks about the dead person and its family, about the journey which is about to take place, how Tiraech will help the dead to go in the right direction, how Manut will secure the journey over the Sea of Death, and how Belsirasin will let the dead one in if it is judged to be right. The priest will continue to speak about the glory of Valon. The congregation will sing hymns, and maybe the village elderman or the local lord will say a few words about the one who has died.

When the service in the church is finished, the dead is wrapped in the cloth and carried to the graveyard. By now it is dark and people walk to the graveyard, either carrying the dead or things that are needed for the earthing, or holding a torch. On the way they sing a hymn.

When they reach the graveyard, they carefully place the dead in a hole that has been dug, with the head towards north. During the whole ceremony, all participants have made an effort to be fairly quiet, since the dead will need all the rest available before the long journey.

Then the priest and the closest relatives (and maybe some other relevant persons) pour some water each over the dead body, and says something about growing well in the new land. Then the body is covered with earth, and the priest speaks of how the body is returned to Mother Nature while the soul begins it journey. The grave is only marked with flowers or other decorations from made out of straw etc. It is not considered very important since the soul will depart from there anyway.

The people sing a last song, saying goodbye and wishing for a safe journey, pray for Tiraech to guide the dead, and finally walk home to their houses.

The following nights up to the next full moon, the member of the family of the deceased will all pray for the dead one, when they pray to Belsirasin in the evening. Some will also send a prayer to Manut.

In the evening before the next full moon, there will be a new service in the church, and the priest will talk about the requirements needed to enter Valon, and the trials of truth performed by Belsirasin. All will pray for the speedy entry of the dead, and the congregation will sing some hymn.

Local/regional variations: I'm sure the funeral practices varies. In some places Belsirasin has less importance, and Manut or Tera the Crone more or vice versa.

Comments are appreciated of cource.


This document was created 14 January 1996 and last updated 14 January 1996 by Magnus Lyckå
I can be reached at Magnus.Lycka@tripnet.se.