Youre not likely to see a true, honest Viking funeral in this day and age. At What Age Should You Plan Your Funeral? It actually wasnt historically common for Vikings to burn bodies as they floated on the water. During the cremation process, the ashes we receive are ground-up bones. . Our website is supported by our users. Most people would agree that a Viking burial is the ultimate way to go when it comes to funeral arrangements. Overall, the dying process is quite expensive, and more people want to handle the loss of a loved one themselves, either in a private burial or an open-air cremation. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This being said, you dont actually have to be buried on land. As my grandfather, Joe once said to me, "When you get older you start going to more and more funerals, that's just life". Updated June 14, 2019 11:58 AM. While most bodies were cremated, the elite Viking fighters were given an even bigger goodbye. Morticians cremate a body around 1400 to 1600 Fahrenheit (760 to 871 Celsius). Most Viking funerals incorporated some or all of the following: The most famous mode of burial was the ship burial. This isnt a new idea, as many funeral homes allow for witness cremations or the ability to watch the cremation process for your loved one begin. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. And, all outdoor cremations would have to be supervised by a licensed funeral director. Stories November 20, 2022. They (Vikings) were more likely to drag the boat ashore and burn it on dry land with the chieftains body and his possessions inside, or just bury the entire boat without setting it on fire, Pray told Cowboy State Daily. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. The problem with Viking funerals is that when the flaming arrow is shot onto the boat or vessel, the fire doesnt get hot enough long enough to cremate the body before the ship sinks fully. It's a way of sending off the dead that's still widely practiced in some parts of the world but there are only two sites in the United States where it's legal, both in Colorado, only one of them public. Researchers expect cremations to keep steadily rising in the future. One aspect of a Viking funeral that we cant forget to consider is the possible trauma of seeing your loved ones body burned. Unfortunately, my wife isnt a fan of the idea, and even if she was, Id be out of luck because its illegal in all 50 states. Rule chapter 69K, Florida Administrative Code, contains the rules which implement chapter 497 . Viking burial generally included items that indicated wealth and status such as weapons, people would agree that a Viking burial is the ultimate way to go when it comes, Viking funeral is an emotional experience that will help honor, Viking funeral custom dates back thousands of years and is believed to symbolize, Viking funerals might seem like a strange practice. This is because Viking funerals where the body is cremated and exposed to the public are considered too dangerous and environmentally harmful. More often, Vikings had a ship-shaped burial mound. A simple burial may cost as little as $100 to $200, but a lavish funeral with numerous rites and goods could cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. In fact, according to Viking lore it was shameful to die any other way. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-leader-3','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',109,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-109{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}In Norse mythology, boats symbolized safe passage into the afterlife mainly because the infamous dragon ships had aided their travels and fortune in life. Viking pyres & remains set on fire: legal or not? Most of the Western world does not allow open-air cremation. They allow the family to keep their loved ones remains close. This idea actually combines the two traditional funeral customs of Viking culture. There were many parts to the ceremony of ship burial. There are very strict standards when it comes to cremation in the USA. At our Viking Style online store, you can find a wide assortment of Viking jewelry depicting Norse abstract and geometric patterns, rubes, images of animals, plants and mythology. green burials in a more in-depth article I wrote here. There are some downsides to a Viking funeral, like not being able to collect your loved ones ashes, the smell, and possible trauma. Here's how. The Vikings have fascinated people for centuries, as they represented rebellion, lawlessness, getting rich, and sticking it to the man. Please, Theres a great scene at the end of the 1958 Kirk Douglas movie. So, cemeteries usually have certain requirements for what you can bury your loved one in. So, lets talk about some of the changes that weve already seen when it comes to traditional funeral practices and how they may lead to the return of Viking funerals in the USA. More often, the Vikings would bury their dead in large burial mounds as the ground in the area was too cold to dig a deep grave. If someone was wealthy or important, however, they would be put into a boat that was buried, or put into a boat-shaped grave. Learn About The Funeral Rule and Shop Online, US Funerals Online: Outdoor Cremation The Funeral Pyre of a Mountain Town in Colorado, National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health: Crematoria Emissions and Air Quality Impacts, US Urns Online: Home Burials: How to (Legally) Bury A Body in Your Backyard, National Funeral Directors Association: 2021 NFDA Cremation & Burial Report, 4 Funeral: Why Are Funerals So Expensive? It's possible to buy miniature Viking-ship funeral ashes caskets, as well as stone and ceramic urns for cremains with Viking ship motifs. What Happens When You Die? The Vikings were Scandinavian sailors, traders, explorers, raiders, pirates and warriors active from the late 8th century well into the 11th century. It was also said to be ruled by Odin (the god associated with war, death, wisdom, and magic), where heroes who had fought bravely in battle could live forever alongside him. Not many Vikings needed an entire boat, especially compared to the needs of the living, and so very few earned a seafaring vessel in their grave goods. Viking funerals are iconic in movies and literature. However, this is probably only possible on your own land. However, its important to recognize that this type of funeral may not be ideal for everyone. The Vikings had a variety of funerary rituals that would differ depending on their status. In Norse traditions, the sendoff to the afterlife was a huge part of the culture. No, Im not morbid enough to obsessively worry how Ill be buried. Where pop culture took over the Viking funeral tradition was regarding cremations. The return of Viking funerals should come with a warning to adults and children who may witness it. Could Viking Funerals Become Legal in the USA? The pagan Scandinavians acknowledged a pantheon of gods and spirits which could be called on in different situations. Throughout human history parties have been held when auspicious funerals happened, including feasts and gatherings of people. If youre interested in having a Viking funeral anyway, check with your local authorities first to see if its permitted under their jurisdiction. Human Composting or Natural Organic Reduction Human Composting, which is technically and legally referred to as Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) was first legalized in Washington State in 2019. There is no one answer to this question, as the legal status of Viking funerals will vary depending on where in Europe you are. Valhalla is the Warriors Hall of Odin, a paradise where those who lived and died in battle would go to feast and drink and fight forever until the final day of battle arrived. A viking funeral is not legal in the USA. After the funeral, the ashes were often scattered over water (or sometimes on land) to represent rebirth. Part of the cremation process that many families enjoy is the collection of their loved ones ashes. Celebrate your loved one. I dont know if Bastiat would approve, but Im certain Thoreau would. This website is affiliated with Urns Northwest. Fortunately there is one place in the US that allows the next best thing: funeral pyres on dry land (ala Darth Vader at the end of Return of the Jedi). People can be legally cremated on a funeral pyre in Crestone, Colorado, thanks to the Crestone End of Life Project. So many people today simply assume the state has the right to dictate to us this and that. For some, this may be therapeutic as a way of saying goodbye. The popular conception of what are commonly called Viking funerals a flaming longship arent historically accuratesaid Joe E. Pray of Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, Michigan. Whether on television or reading up on Viking history, theres a lot we now know about Viking funerals. If your dream Viking funeral is based on a scene from a Kirk Douglas movie, its best that you stop reading now. The funeral home also would have to give 24-hour notice to local law enforcement before every outdoor cremation. While Viking funerals arent currently legal in all 50 states, that doesnt mean theyve never been attempted or done before just that its usually not allowed by law. It could be held anywhere, even outdoors in a garden or a forest. This means that the body must be burned rather than buried, and there must be some sort of ceremony or ritual associated with the funeral. Overall, cremations have a few benefits: If youre looking for more of a financial breakdown of funerals, check out our article here. Section 21 of the NT Cemeteries Act states the body of a deceased person can only be buried in a cemetery. They thought everything good and bad happened for a reason, so preparing for ones death meant accepting whatever fate awaited them with gratitude and hope for future happiness. I cant say this for certain, but I suspect for much of American history the state, have much of a say in it. So, burning a body outdoors in the United States is illegal in an attempt to keep us safe from harmful emissions. Viking ship funerals were reserved for the final voyage of the greatest warriors, but in most cases, Viking ships were buried rather than burned. A send off at dusk will offer nice lighting and symbolically showcase the dusk of life. Answer (1 of 9): No burials at sea of any cadaver are allowed by law in England. Even if the Vikings did manage to get this type of funeral send-off right, unfortunately, there is definitely no way your family could logistically get away with it today. Notably, Maine considered a bill thatd legalize open-air cremations in the state. "While, in principle, cremation comes close to a Viking-style funeral, the regulations stipulate the type of facility, machinery and licensure/permitting that . This is a much more reasonable funeral tradition, as you can do this in certain states. However, if you are an avid Scandiboo, then read on to find out just how you could organize a real Viking funeral. Heres What They Look Like, 70 Best Memorial Plaques for Outdoors, Gifts, Photos, & More, 101 Beautiful Letting Go Quotes to Overcome a Loss, Disposition by flaming ship, funeral pyre, or burial, Prayers and rituals to Norse gods, especially relating to entry into Valhalla, After seven days, the community holds a ritual funeral feast. According to the law, a legal cremation must take place at a certain temperature for a certain amount of time. Some believe Viking funerals violate traditional burial practices and disrespect the dead. , when politicians and populists decided they needed to regulate all kinds of behaviors and practices that traditionally had been beyond the purview of the state. The Vikings raised many monuments to celebrate the life of established warriors or lords. The purpose was to bury someone properly after death and demonstrate commitment to the deceased persons family and community. Its become more gentle; some might say softer. It would be impossible to generate that amount of heat by burning wood and a body on the water, not even considering that firing a flaming arrow onto a boat with a dead body would be highly illegal too. The Vikings would have kept their burials very simple and there wouldnt have been fancy caskets inside, so why not emulate them in this way and have a green funeral? Are Viking funerals legal anywhere in the world? Some treasures would accompany them in their burial ship. Viking funerals are illegal everywhere in the U.S., but there are two places in Colorado where you can burn people's remains outdoors. Ive seen it, and its actually a gruesome process, he said. Useful? These ceremonies usually occur at sea and involve burying a persons entire body (including their clothes) in a sealed concrete casket. The Hollywood movie-style Viking funeral with the deceased placed on the deck of a longboat set out to sea and set ablaze is fiction, then and now. Valhalla was the end goal for all warriors, their idea of heaven. Any mention of a pyre is a red alarm for them, because of how hot and easily out of control they can get. It is possible, although more complicated, to opt to be buried at sea or even possibly to instead have your ashes burned on a small-sized replica boat (Amazon). Cremation renders ashes harmless, so there is no public health risk involved in scattering ashes. Ground penetrating rada r reveals more graves as its usage grows. A "Viking funeral" refers an ancient Norse funerary rite whereby the deceased's bodily remains and prized possessions are put to sea in a wooden boat that is subsequently ignited by a flaming arrow. These were men of the sea, and in death, they accepted the sea to become their tomb. In some instances, viking funerals may be legal if they are conducted in accordance with local regulations. In the United States, open-air cremation is legal only in Crestone, Colorado, according to the US Funerals Online blog. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Find this floating model Viking longship on Amazon. However, having an authentic Viking funeral is actually possible and Americans can actually emulate Viking funeral rites and customs in almost any state. As such, it is essential for families planning a Viking funeral to consult with an experienced mortician beforehand so that all costs can be anticipated and planned for responsibly. Norse beliefs are central to Viking culture, including their beliefs of death and the afterworld where the souls of the dead depart to: Valhalla. But the true spectacle came with the royalty, the great warriors, the leaders; these were conducted with far more circumstance to give their favored warriors a proper send-off to the afterlife. Before burying a body on private land or establishing a family cemetery, be sure to check local zoning rules. Cremation ashes may be stored in a crypt, niche, grave, or container at home. charts across the openings of bays and rivers. Their culture was one of warriors who sailed the globe searching for a glorious way to die. Lets talk more about Viking funeral customs and how you can represent them, even though theyre illegal in the USA. Green burials are becoming more popular and aim to impact the environment as little as possible. Early Vikings believed that cremation would help send a spirit to the sky, and many sects carried out standard burials in open spaces where many bodies would be collected, not unlike a modern graveyard. Not only did this pose a threat to public health, but it also caused significant environmental damage. If you need clarification on what the law requires in your area, contact local authorities. Alternatively, you could do your send-off on a pond or a lake as most public spaces do allow it, and scattering ashes isnt subject to the same laws. But the stuff of legends may be just that. The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else or charge you a fee to do it. In these elaborate Viking funerals, vessels were filled with food, alcohol, and tributes. To cap off the funeral and begin the next step of life the inheritance people would hold a feast called sjaund (Norse for seven) seven days after the death. The answer is quite simple. Once cremated, the bodys remains were most often buried in an urn. A Viking burial generally included items that indicated wealth and status such as weapons, jewelry, and clothes so that the dead person would have everything they needed after death. The United States has laws regulating the cremation of a dead body. Unfortunately, this service is only extended to the residents of the local community in order to keep wait times and scheduling under control. Viking funerals involving open-air cremation can help people save even more money. They were kept in storage for more than 100 years, dismissed as typical examples of Viking Age funeral clothes. Once the cremation is over, the bones of the deceased are still in large pieces. This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Are Viking funerals legal in Missouri? My goal is to provide Americans a more fulfilling goodbye. Thanks for writing this. Therefore, these ships played a key role in funeral rites. I think has living standards have been rising since the beginning of the industrial revolution, there are more people with free time, and this gives busy-body types free-reign to get busy, too often to our detriment. The existence of persons and property preceded the existence of the legislator, and his function is only to guarantee their safety.. While funeral directors are there to help, some people may prefer to deal with death privately. These particles can cause respiratory and other health problems. If youre interested in learning more about this process or using it for your own family members burial, speak with an attorney or search online for resources specific to your location. People were allowed to lay to rest their loved ones as they saw fitwhether through a quiet Christian burial or a pyreas long as they didnt violate the rights of someone else. According to federal law, the crematory or the funeral home should instruct about the alternative containers. . Treasures such as weapons and jewels were common choices. The general permit is published in the federal regulations at 40 CFR 229.1. There has been some debate over whether or not Viking funerals which involve the burial of a human body and many items associated with that person, such as weapons, jewelry, and other valuables are legal in Florida. No state law requires routine embalming for every . Although having a 'Hollywood style' Viking funeral would be logistically impossible and completely illegal, having an authentic Viking funeral is actually legal. The only problem with cremations is the hands-off approach for the family. Your email address will not be published. Cemeteries take up a lot of land space here in the USA. It is not true that the legislator has absolute power over our persons and property, Bastiat wrote in, . Youre free to bury your loved one on your own property in whatever way you prefer. But the great thinker Frdric Bastiat reminded us this is not so. We know that the deceased was buried in a grave rather . While the idea of a Viking funeral may appeal to many people, its important to consider these downsides. A new legislation in Maine would allow residents to follow Jedi or Viking-style funeral rituals involving outdoor cremations.. Lauren explains in the video that Viking funerals aren't allowed because when the flaming arrow is shot onto the boat or vessel, the fire doesn't get hot enough for long enough to fully cremate the body before the boat sinks. Its a flashy, impressive way to send off a loved one, especially if they lived and died for the glory of battle. Cremation at sea is also illegal. The ship would therefore symbolize a passage into the next life, over the ocean and then into the sky through smoke, as the ship would be set on fire while on the water. As mentioned previously, real Viking funerals are legal, and having one is actually rather simple too. Drinking was a social activity, meant to bring people closer together as they said their final farewells. Burial at sea is legal in certain limited circumstances, but its still subject to local laws and regulations. These ceremonies, which typically occur in Scandinavia, involve burning a boat or other vessel containing the deceased's body and all of their possessions. That of course opens the door for unwanted things to be floating in our bodies of water that shouldn't be. If you've watched HBO's Game of Thrones, House Tully does it for their deceased patriarch.George R.R. Viking funerals are a beautiful and unique way to say goodbye to your loved ones, but they are controversial. And people might want to think twice about open-air cremation, Pray said. By burying them at sea, the Vikings believed they could safely travel with the dead person through dangerous waters and protect them from harm. Norse refers to a system of beliefs which was prevalent within the area, and not a direct genetic lineage. It was good practice to dress the dead in new clothing so they could face the gods in their best vestments. Save Money on a Funeral by Buying the Casket Online. 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