By burning the body, survivors hope to release the deceased person from their physical form and bring them closer to Valhalla (or heaven) or any other higher power they may believe in. You can say the following Viking prayer and really connect with those ancient people who went through the same loss and celebration of life you and your loved ones are. Not only do they cost a whole heck of a lot less, but they are also actually closer to the way that Scandinavians in the Viking age would have buried their dead.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'funeralcompanion_com-netboard-1','ezslot_17',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-netboard-1-0'); You can find out more about green burials in a more in-depth article I wrote here. The body cannot be deep-sixed nor can it be burned on the surface. However, the rules surrounding whats legal in international waters is hard to ascertain. A Viking-style memorial service could be a special way to mark the life of someone you loved, after their funeral at a modern-day crematorium. Let us know if you liked the post. Maine may soon legalize Viking-style funeral pyres. This site is owned and operated by the founder of FuneralCompanion.com. 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. The stories of the creation and end of the world according to Norse mythology and the exploits of Viking gods such as Odin, Thor . This push to go green certainly changes the way we approach death. Unfortunately, there isnt much we can do about this unless theres a way to burn the body of a lost loved one in a non-residential area or reach those high cremation temperatures outside a crematorium. Therefore, these ships played a key role in funeral rites. Some treasures would accompany them in their burial ship. The funeral home also would have to give 24-hour notice to local law enforcement before every outdoor cremation. Burning human remains releases toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide gas, and particulate matter into the air. People from Scandinavia could be Norse, but the Norse were really the gods they worshiped. Heres everything you need to know about Viking funerals and how you can (sort of maybe) legally have your own Viking send-off. These ceremonies only allow twelve funerals a year and are strictly regulated by the state of Colorado. So, lawmakers are considering bills like this one thatd make Viking funerals no longer a thing of the past. But under certain circumstances, families can apply to the minister for Housing and . In the United States, open-air cremation is legal only in Crestone, Colorado, according to the. The Viking funeral custom dates back thousands of years and is believed to symbolize death as an event leading to a new life cycle. 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. Felonies carry penalties of more than a year and up to life in prison or the death penalty. The modern version of a Viking funeral featuring a body burned in a boat at sea is illegal. If they went ahead and tried regardless, it is likely they would be fined heavily later, and even possibly prosecuted and imprisoned for it. If you wish to scatter ashes, you have many options. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Before burying a body on private land or establishing a family cemetery, be sure to check local zoning rules. So, even if lawmakers decide to allow Viking funerals, we need to prepare ourselves and our children for any trauma that might arise from it. FuneralCompanion.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. In fact, according to Viking lore it was shameful to die any other way. Simply place the cremated ashes into the hull of the boat and then have the send-off you have dreamed of! Thisd leave more land for farming and other activities. A detailed account of the Volga Vikings, including the funeral of a chieftain, may be found in Ibn Fadlan's . They followed the old traditions of pagan cults related to the Norse gods and myths. Ultimately, its up to each community to decide whether or not they want a Viking-style funeral within their borders. For the most part, they are considered taboo, however, Crestone, Colorado is the only place where open-air cremations are legal in the United States.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'funeralcompanion_com-sky-3','ezslot_28',601,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-sky-3-0'); In Maine, there was a proposal put forward to legalize the practice there, in a limited capacity. Burning a human body can emit harmful chemicals that arent healthy for humans to breathe. I can imagine this wouldnt be a pleasant experience for families or their neighbors. There are no laws in Florida that prohibit home burial. However, a lot of what we think we know about Vikings today sadly has in fact been fabricated over time. Although having a 'Hollywood style' Viking funeral would be logistically impossible and completely illegal, having an authentic Viking funeral is actually legal. Where pop culture took over the Viking funeral tradition was regarding cremations. "Unfortunately, the laws are pretty clear on what constitutes 'disposition' (the final place for a human body)," explains funeral director and funeral home owner Jeff Jorgenson. So, this may be the best option if you dont want to be restricted by the cemeterys rules. You can get away with having a drinking, feasting festival with friends and loved ones. No state law requires routine embalming for every . cremations are legal in the United States, You can be cremated, through your cremation of choice In a crematorium or if you can arrange it legally, on an open-aired pyre in, You could opt to then be buried in a ship-shaped barrow or mound, with your treasures and memorabilia, awaiting Valhalla. Prayers and rituals to Norse gods, especially relating to entry into Valhalla. Valhalla was initially described in Viking poetry as a beautiful land of eternal sunshine and happiness. Viking Funeral. Viking funerals could give people a real chance to save money and avoid dealing with a funeral director at all. So, a Viking funeral wont give us the ashes were used to. 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. While funeral directors are there to help, some people may prefer to deal with death privately. By burying them at sea, the Vikings believed they could safely travel with the dead person through dangerous waters and protect them from harm. Therefore, it is necessary in the interest of the . Your email address will not be published. The existence of persons and property preceded the existence of the legislator, and his function is only to guarantee their safety.. The answer is quite simple. We know that the deceased was buried in a grave rather . Funerals are expensive, but there are certain ways you can save money without being cheap. Burning a body releases harmful chemicals into the air that include more than just smoke. Blog. My hunch is most of these burial laws were passed in. When someone you love has experienced a miscarriage, the feelings can be bewildering and overwhelming. Most states allow this. Check! This website is affiliated with Urns Northwest. After all, why would anyone want to bury their loved ones at sea? They will be able to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you have about Viking funerals. In some instances, viking funerals may be legal if they are conducted in accordance with local regulations. Are Viking funerals legal in international waters? Continue with Recommended Cookies. So if I have my way, my last act of civil disobedience just might be a Viking funeral. Overall, the rise of interest in Viking funerals is no surprise when considering the increase in cremations over the past decade. So, without the body burning off quickly, the odor of a burning body will fill the area nearby. It was good practice to dress the dead in new clothing so they could face the gods in their best vestments. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. But the stuff of legends may be just that. The ancient lines of these ships evokes a deep sense of . Once all the preparations have been made, the Viking style funeral service can go forward. If approved, Maine residents would be allowed to hold ceremonies in which bodies are cremated on a bed of timber during a ceremony, the Sun Journal reports. They are iconic indeed, but are Viking funerals legal? It may surprise some, but Viking funeral ceremonies are not legal in the United Kingdom. Others feel they are unique. Vikings believed that death wasnt necessarily bad it was simply another step toward rebirth. Overall, cremations have a few benefits: If youre looking for more of a financial breakdown of funerals, check out our article here. Adults and children alike may have a hard time watching their loved ones burn and disintegrate right in front of them. If you need clarification on what the law requires in your area, contact local authorities. 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. 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. These fires actually grew hotter than modern crematorium furnaces, and left nothing but bones and metal fragments from tributes. There are some ways to emulate a Viking burial in every state. Ibn Fadlan a contemporary describes a scene where a slave girl was given large amounts of alcohol, raped by the men of the congregation in honor of the deceased, strangled, and stabbed before being burned with the deceased. Some believe Viking funerals violate traditional burial practices and disrespect the dead. 13. It can also be pretty expensive. The truly elite and powerful would leave behind great wealth, much of which would be incorporated into the Vikings funeral. This rise in cremations could bring about change in the cremation process. It's currently legal in only two U.S. locations, both in Colorado. Whether you choose to cremate your loved ones or bury them on your property, theres no doubt youre saving a lot of money. There is also concern that modern hygiene standards may not be appropriate for a funeral conducted 810 years ago when sanitation was less developed. Despite these Hollywood depictions, Viking funerals and cremations were held on land. Viking funerals are illegal in the USA due to burning ordinances in every state except for Colorado. 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. The MPRSA general permit authorizes the transportation and burial at sea of non-cremated and cremated human remains in ocean waters under specified conditions. Is it legal to have a Viking funeral in the U.S.? Placement of materials that are not readily decomposable in the marine environment, such as plastic or metal, Any such activity would require an application for an. Others feel they are unique historical artifacts that should be preserved and studied. (1) The Legislature recognizes that purchasers of preneed burial rights, funeral or burial merchandise, or funeral or burial services may suffer serious economic harm if purchase money is not set aside for future use as intended by the purchaser and that the failure to maintain cemetery grounds properly may cause significant emotional stress. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. FuneralCompanion.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Youre free to bury your loved one on your own property in whatever way you prefer. You can be cremated, through your cremation of choice - In a crematorium or if you can arrange it legally, on an open-aired pyre in Crestone Colorado. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Like other states, Florida distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors by the amount of time a person could spend behind bars. However, you can order your own Viking longship urn. That allowed them to live glorious lives of accomplishment, both in and out of battle. Bear in mind, too, that servants were property to these people. Attempting a cremation on a wooden boat, would be a dangerous stunt prohibited by many laws in modern America, and besides, experts who understand cremation have also concluded, likely to be a dismal . The ceremonies -- which have been depicted in 'Game of Thrones' and 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace . This practice is also considered sacrilegious and could lead to criminal charges if performed in some states. Are Viking funerals legal anywhere in the world? green burials in a more in-depth article I wrote here. Theres a great scene at the end of the 1958 Kirk Douglas movie The Vikings where the warlords body is set to sea in a boat, and his men rain down arrows of fire on it, setting the vessel (and body) ablaze. 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. So you want a Hollywood style-Viking funeral? That's a difficult question to answer, as laws vary from country to country. Over the next three centuries, they would . A Viking funeral can be costly, depending on the size and complexity of the ceremony. As my grandfather, Joe once said to me, "When you get older you start going to more and more funerals, that's just life". You may choose to keep it in storage until needed, or you may want to display as a fascinating discussion piece. The general permit is published in the federal regulations at 40 CFR 229.1. It is legal to have an authentic Viking funeral, even though it would be logistically impossible and completely illegal. So, crematorium workers have to grind up the bones of the deceased to get the consistency of ashes that we see. One thing that we know for sure about the funeral industry, is handling the arrangements ourselves can save us a lot of money. Learn morehere. The US state of Maine is looking at making Viking-style funerals legal, meaning a deceased person could be set on fire outdoors as part of a ceremony . Did the Vikings really send their warriors out to sea on a flaming ship, an aquatic funeral pyre bound for Valhalla? See also Is Germany Close To Canada? This Viking Funeral Ship is about a meter long and evokes thoughts of burial rituals from centuries ago. What Happens When You Die? Burial at sea is legal in certain limited circumstances, but its still subject to local laws and regulations. This would be done mainly for important figures. However, having an authentic Viking funeral is actually possible and Americans can actually emulate Viking funeral rites and customs in almost any state. However, there are a few exceptions typically, Viking funerals are allowed only at locations near the coast of the United Kingdom. This being said, you dont actually have to be buried on land. Viking funerals are iconic in movies and literature. In Norse traditions, the sendoff to the afterlife was a huge part of the culture. Florida permits families to establish cemeteries if they are smaller than two acres and do not sell burial spaces or merchandise. A Viking was buried with everything they would need for the afterlife. A send off at dusk will offer nice lighting and symbolically showcase the dusk of life. Open-air cremations, or funeral pyres, are mostly illegal in the USA. At that time, it was realized that burning bodies in large flames created toxic smoke and particles that could travel far and wide. 2015 was the first year in US history that we had more cremations than casket burials. For the Vikings, things were no different. However, in most states, Viking funerals are considered illegal because they incorporate elements of paganism. Many images used on this site are sourced from Canva.comif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'funeralcompanion_com-large-leaderboard-1','ezslot_23',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-large-leaderboard-1-0');report this ad, link to 67 Things To Message Someone Who Just Suffered A Miscarriage, link to 40+ Comforting Bibles Verses To Read After A Miscarriage, restrict the dumping of bodies into the ocean, Vikings were actually sent to the afterlife, Mark Hamilton makes with cremains by visiting his site here, he United States Environmental Protection Agency. 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