Viking ship funerals were reserved for the final voyage of the greatest warriors, but in most cases, Viking ships were buried rather than burned. It could be held anywhere, even outdoors in a garden or a forest. Vikings performed open-air cremations for their loved ones. They made up the bulk of free-roaming mercenaries for the northern seaboard countries of Europe at the time, from Denmark and Sweden all the way to Iceland. 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. Burial at sea is entirely legal under US law but is regulated. So, cemeteries usually have certain requirements for what you can bury your loved one in. This rise in cremations could bring about change in the cremation process. Being the marauding culture they were, war was a natural part of their life, and an equally natural way for them to die. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Thats the only way we can improve. Some believe Viking funerals violate traditional burial practices and disrespect the dead. The idea was sparked by an article I came across recently in Cowboy State Daily that delved into Viking funeralsand dished on the one place in the country you can get one. 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. A send off at dusk will offer nice lighting and symbolically showcase the dusk of life. Drinking was a social activity, meant to bring people closer together as they said their final farewells. Crematoriums are seen as the safest option for cremation. When it's time to plan for the funeral of a loved one, you want to do right by them and adhere to their wishes. Death; 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? Stories November 20, 2022. Funeral Pyres & Open Air Cremation Is It Legal? Viking funerals are illegal everywhere in the U.S., but there are two places in Colorado where you can burn people's remains outdoors. Viking funerals are a type of open-air Since 2015, weve only seen an increase in cremations. However, due to technical limitations with how fires are lit in boats at sea, this process didnt always result in effective burning of the body. This can add some extra flair to the spectacle from afar. When God chooses to take a child before it's even born it can be incredibly difficult to understand HIS plan. The return of Viking funerals should come with a warning to adults and children who may witness it. Rule chapter 69K, Florida Administrative Code, contains the rules which implement chapter 497 . FuneralCompanion.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. So if I have my way, my last act of civil disobedience just might be a Viking funeral. No human sacrificing, for one thing. Death was an honored and welcomed part of life, and was celebrated as such in a number of ways. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'funeralcompanion_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'funeralcompanion_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',106,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-106{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:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Continue with Recommended Cookies. However, having an authentic Viking funeral is actually possible and Americans can actually emulate Viking funeral rites and customs in almost any state. , 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. 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. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. Cremation. 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. There are very strict standards when it comes to cremation in the USA. Viking funerals in Canada require compromises. Did the Vikings really send their warriors out to sea on a flaming ship, an aquatic funeral pyre bound for Valhalla? And people might want to think twice about open-air cremation, Pray said. Valhalla was initially described in Viking poetry as a beautiful land of eternal sunshine and happiness. Save information for later by printing or sharing. Blog. Well, you have to omit or adapt a lot. Are Viking funerals legal anywhere? Updated June 14, 2019 11:58 AM. Funeral; Grief; Death; Life; Archives. One aspect of a Viking funeral that we cant forget to consider is the possible trauma of seeing your loved ones body burned. 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. Where pop culture took over the Viking funeral tradition was regarding cremations. That sounds fairly routine with the growing popularity of cremation in the United States, but luckily thats where the similarity between Vikings and American funerals ends.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'funeralcompanion_com-leader-2','ezslot_6',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-leader-2-0'); There are accounts too of human sacrifice. Where are Viking send offs legal? Even today, many identify with the earthy and brave warrior quality of our ancestors, the Vikings. The state of Maine is considering a measure that would allow residents to forgo a traditional casket burial and instead opt for an "open air cremation" - also known as a funeral pyre. Over the next three centuries, they would . Youre free to bury your loved one on your own property in whatever way you prefer. This is a much more reasonable funeral tradition, as you can do this in certain states. Flowers or other offerings may be placed within the boat or scattered in the water around the boat. Since these rules may be difficult to circumvent, some people may choose to bury their loved ones on private land. There are some downsides to a Viking funeral, like not being able to collect your loved ones ashes, the smell, and possible trauma. I cant say this for certain, but I suspect for much of American history the state, have much of a say in it. However, only a handful of such pyre services are allowed each year, and theyre exclusively for Crestone residents. Most states allow this. Is it legal to have a Viking funeral in the U.S.? However, in general, Viking funerals are legal in the United States as long as they adhere to local regulations and do not pose a public safety risk. So, this may be the best option if you dont want to be restricted by the cemeterys rules. If you choose to make the boat yourself, make sure it is flammable and lightweight. For some, this may be therapeutic as a way of saying goodbye. Most cemeteries require you to bury a loved one in a closed container because of sinkage. Its a flashy, impressive way to send off a loved one, especially if they lived and died for the glory of battle. After seven days, the community holds a ritual funeral feast. They usually call to the gods, call to the ancestors of the departed, or give praise to the life the warrior lived. Find this floating model Viking longship on Amazon. My hunch is most of these burial laws were passed in the Progressive Era, 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. Like so many people across Europe during the Middle Ages, the Vikings lived difficult lives, and life expectancy . There were many parts to the ceremony of ship burial. These ceremonies only allow twelve funerals a year and are strictly regulated by the state of Colorado. 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). Answer (1 of 9): No burials at sea of any cadaver are allowed by law in England. There are many materials you can go for from wood to wicker, but cardboard seems the easiest and most accessible to most people. Valhalla was the end goal for all warriors, their idea of heaven. (I mean, is burning a body on a pyre any stranger than burying it in the ground?). The rich Norsemen would have families and servants to whom they would pass on their earthly goods, but not all wealth would be inherited. This was the traditional disposition method for the typical Viking. There is also concern that modern hygiene standards may not be appropriate for a funeral conducted 810 years ago when sanitation was less developed. Any mention of a pyre is a red alarm for them, because of how hot and easily out of control they can get. While many agree that cremations are a lot less harmful to the environment than traditional burials, theres still cause for concern. It was the gods who could potentially be tender to the newly departed souls, and therefore the gods needed to be appeased through prayer, song or tribute. Viking pyres & remains set on fire: legal or not? If your dream is to be cremated and set adrift on a flaming Viking boat surrounded by food, ale, and some of your other favorite things, while your friends and family have a party to celebrate your life, as they watch you float gently out to sea and onto Valhalla, Im sorry to say- this wont be happening. Heres everything you need to know about Viking funerals and how you can (sort of maybe) legally have your own Viking send-off. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue 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. This website is dedicated to helping families who have to struggle with both their grief and planning the best possible send-off for their loved ones. Viking funerals are illegal everywhere in the U.S., including Texas, but there are two spots in Colorado where you can burn peoples remains outdoors. . While Viking funerals aren`t currently legal in all 50 states, that doesn`t mean they`ve never been tried or performed before just that it`s generally not allowed by law. Lets break down cremations and burials within Viking culture and why they limit them in the USA. In the . At the feast everyone would drink a special funeral ale, also called sjaund, in excess. The existence of persons and property preceded the existence of the legislator, and his function is only to guarantee their safety.. Typically wood burns at a temperature of around 400 to . Viking funeral practice is called pyre burial, which involves burning the deceaseds body on a ship or boat instead of burying them. Burials require a permit and needs to be reported to the EPA. We know that the deceased was buried in a grave rather . This day, Ragnarok, would be the end of the world, when all warriors would be called on to lead a charge against a demonic army and slay monsters that tried to destroy the world of man. While funeral directors are there to help, some people may prefer to deal with death privately. There is no one answer to this question, as the legal status of Viking funerals will vary depending on where in Europe you are. Viking funerals are illegal everywhere in the U.S., including Texas, but there are two spots in Colorado where you can burn people's remains outdoors. The funeral home cannot require you to be there when the casket or urn is delivered to them. In Norse traditions, the sendoff to the afterlife was a huge part of the culture. This guide will explain the basics of Viking funeral rites and then provide a critical overview of the legal landscape surrounding Viking funerals in the United States. And as soon as you introduce a human body, thats a hard line to cross. Ive seen it, and its actually a gruesome process, he said. If your dream Viking funeral is based on a scene from a Kirk Douglas movie, its best that you stop reading now. A viking funeral is not legal in the USA. But even if its just for the spectacle of the send-off, is a Viking funeral worth having? Is Cremation Cheaper Than Burial: Full 2022 Cost Analysis. But once you shoot burning arrows at a body, thats where the law gets involved. People from Scandinavia could be Norse, but the Norse were really the gods they worshiped. 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