Pagan Chaplaincy Resources
- Yvonne Aburrow
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
What are Pagan religions?
Pagan is an umbrella term for several traditions: Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, various types of polytheism, eclectic Paganism, and many other smaller traditions. Pagan religions share a belief that the divine is immanent in Nature, and most traditions worship both goddesses and gods. Some Pagans are pantheist, some are polytheist, some are monist, some are agnostic, some are atheist.
Pagan liturgy relating to death and dying
Things to consider
The family may be from another religion and not know about or approve of the deceased's Pagan faith; in which case it may be that two ceremonies will be needed
Who will officiate at the funeral? A Pagan officiant? An interfaith officiant?
What to put on the headstone, if there is one.
Pagan attitudes to death and dying
Most Pagans regard death as part of the natural cycle of life, death, and rebirth; many regard the body as just a house for the spirit.
Many Pagans believe in reincarnation; others believe in an afterlife; others believe that death is the end and our energies get "recycled" as something else.
In Pagan symbolism, darkness and death are not negative.
The bereaved may want to prepare the body themselves, or hold a ritual or a vigil with the body.
Green burials and eco-coffins are very popular.
Pagan funerals are generally a celebration of the life of the deceased.
Some Pagans want to be buried, others want cremation.
Many dislike the idea of embalming the body.
You can find more about specific Pagan traditions' views of death and dying in this booklet by Ryan Robinson, Death and Dying, at Amawsau.org
Books
Birth, growth, death and rebirth are a cycle that forms the underlying order of the universe. This is the core of Pagan belief — and the heart of this unique resource guide to death and the process of dying. Filled with encouragement, strength and inspiration, The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is an invaluable source of both spiritual counsel and very practical tools and techniques for:
honouring and caring for a dying person
grieving a beloved relative, partner or friend
planning a funeral or memorial service
distributing personal possessions and making room in the home for a loved one’s memory
understanding and mourning specific types of death
providing final instructions for one’s own death, and much more
This book aims to provide a selection of prayers - and shows readers how they can create their own. After an introduction on why we pray, author Ceisiwr Serith explores how people can pray through words, posture, dance, and music. He explains how they can prepare for and compose prayers, how to address and honour the deities, and how to conclude a prayer.
The Dead Good Funerals Book offers advice and information on planning a funeral that will be worthy of the person, whether it is for cremation or burial. Experts Sue Gill and John Fox offer a wealth of useful knowledge and creative ideas to create a funeral that is memorable & truthful, legal & dignified. Sheds light on a topic that is difficult and unspoken in our culture.
Organizations
Clergy Services for the Pagan Community of Ireland, providing resources and advice.
A website of Pagan resources for death and dying. The owner of this website has sadly passed away but there are some helpful ideas on it.
