Pagan Funeral and Grieving Practices Episode
- Midnight Starr
- Aug 24
- 7 min read
What it's All About:
Join me as I explore the deeply personal and profound topic of Pagan funerals and grieving practices. In many modern cultures, death is often seen as an ending, but within Paganism, it is viewed as a natural and sacred part of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This episode will delve into how we can create meaningful rituals and ceremonies to honor the deceased and guide them on their journey. We'll discuss how we find comfort and closure through connection to nature, the elements, and the wisdom of our ancestors, transforming a time of loss into a period of sacred remembrance and transition.
Beyond the rituals themselves, this episode offers a compassionate look at the grieving process from a Pagan perspective. I'll explore how to navigate grief with an open heart, embracing our emotions and finding healing in practices that are both ancient and deeply personal. This show provides a space for reflection and understanding.
Songs Featured:
Dream Symbol Music by Captain Phillips from Pixabay
Links Mentioned:
Get in Touch Through Social Media:
Spirit Guide of the Week:
Dream Symbol:
Icicles
Shadows
Transcript:
(03:41)
Welcome to another episode of the Music from the Goddess’ Vault Podcast. I am your host, Midnight Starr. You just heard Ghost Forest by Sharon Knight.
Today’s topic is all about Pagan Funeral and Grieving Practices.
Hey, I'd love to hear what future show topics, spirit guides, or dream symbols are on your mind. Your ideas really help shape the show, so drop me a line using the link in the show notes. You can also find me on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky, and Mastodon. For more insights and another way to get in touch, my blog is full of them at goddessvault1.wixsite.com/home.
To get all the latest updates from Goddess' Vault, sign up for free at musicgoddessvault.substack.com. And if you're enjoying the magic and want to support the podcast, consider becoming a paid member for just $7 a month or $70 a year. Your contribution truly helps keep this podcast going!
Now for the topic: pagan funeral and grieving practices. I don’t know what to say about this, because I have never been to a modern pagan funeral. I know that most of us pagans, when we die, we want to be buried in an environmentally friendly way, whether it is having a tree planted on our graves, or be put into an environmentally friendly coffin.
And we do grieve for those family members who have passed every Samhain.
I’ll go deeper into these ideas right after you listen to Ghost by Trobar de Morte.
(10:00)
In our modern world, death can feel like a final ending, a door closing forever. But for many within the Pagan community, we see it differently. We view death as a natural and sacred part of life's endless cycle. It’s the last great journey, and a transition, not just a final farewell.
This perspective really shapes how we think about our own end of life and our final resting place. We often hear about the desire for green burials, and that's a common wish for many Pagans. The idea of returning to the earth in a way that nourishes it—whether through a biodegradable coffin or by having a tree planted on our grave—is a deeply spiritual act. It connects our final physical journey with the endless cycle of growth and renewal. It's a way of saying, 'my body is now part of the forest, the land, and the cycle continues.
Beyond the physical, this view also extends to the spiritual journey. While mainstream views often talk about a final judgment, many Pagan traditions believe the soul continues on. We might believe in reincarnation, where our spirit returns in a new form, or we might believe the soul moves to a different realm, like a place to rest or an ancestral home. The focus isn't just on what happens to the body, but also on the soul’s peaceful journey. This belief gives us a sense of continuity and comfort, knowing that even after death, our journey isn't truly over. It's a beautiful perspective that helps us look at death not with fear, but with reverence for the full, sacred circle of life.
Now time for another break. This one is from EMIAN called Spirit Trail.
(15:47)
Today, we are going back to the animal kingdom to talk about the butterfly.
The butterfly's message is all about change. It’s a sign that a big change is coming, and it might be time to let go of an old habit or embrace a new way of thinking. The butterfly guides you through major life transitions, reminding you that you can easily adjust and thrive. Its wisdom is a gentle nudge to make the changes you've been considering.
The butterfly also reminds us to relax more and go with the flow of life's natural cycles. It encourages you to express the love you feel for your family and to put the romance back into your relationship with your partner.
Like the butterfly, you likely have colorful tastes in clothes, music, and art, and you’re naturally drawn to people. However, you don’t do well in toxic environments and prefer not to form strong attachments, knowing that change is constant. The butterfly’s wisdom is a profound appreciation for the natural cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Its message is simple: embrace the change that’s already within you.
That is it for now. Stay tuned for another spirit guide of the week.
(21:45)
That was Drumspyder with The Butterfly.
Let's talk about the other side of this topic: grieving. Grief is a powerful, difficult emotion, and in our society, we're often expected to get over it quickly. But in many Pagan traditions, we view grief as a sacred process that deserves to be honored, not rushed. It's an important journey we take, and there’s no time limit on it.
This perspective is so beautifully shown in our practices around Samhain. We honor our ancestors every year during this time, and it's a vital tradition. Samhain marks the time when the veil between our world and the world of our ancestors is believed to be at its thinnest. This gives us a dedicated time to remember, honor, and connect with those we’ve lost. It's a powerful way to integrate our grief into a yearly cycle, rather than trying to forget it.
This practice of honoring our ancestors is a vital part of Paganism. It keeps their wisdom alive and reminds us that we are part of a long line of people who have walked this path before us. By sharing their stories and keeping their memory alive, we turn our grief into a source of strength, knowledge, and connection to our roots. It helps us find comfort in the idea that our loved ones are not gone forever; they are simply on a different part of the journey. This way, the legacy of their love and their lives continues on.
Since we've been talking about the sacred traditions of Samhain, this next song is a perfect fit. Here is Samhain by Crow Women.
(27:58)
Here's another dream symbol to interpret.
These are the three: Icicles, Sentencing, and Shadows.
First, if you're dreaming of icicles, it often points to a problem that's been hanging over you for a while.
If you're dreaming of icicles forming, it can symbolize that difficulties are building up in your life and you're feeling unsupported by those around you.
But if those icicles are melting in your dream, it suggests those tough times are coming to an end.
Next, a dream about sentencing is a powerful message to take responsibility for your actions.
If you're the one being sentenced to a prison in your dream , it might mean you feel held back in some area of your life.
A death sentence is often a symbol that you have limited time to act on something important.
If someone else is being sentenced in your dream, it’s a sign that you feel they need to be held accountable for their behavior.
Finally, dreaming of shadows often points to a part of yourself that you haven't fully acknowledged.
If you see a white shadow, your subconscious might be trying to highlight something that's been overlooked.
And a shadowy figure can represent traits you haven't yet brought into your own personality.
If you want a dream symbol to interpret and maybe have a dream symbol featured, I will mention the contact information at the end of this show. So keep dreaming.
(32:29)
That was Shadow and Shard by Alexander James Adams.
Thank you so much for tuning in! I'm your host, Midnight Starr, and I'm always looking for our next adventure. So, what's calling to you for future episodes? Maybe more Spirit Guides, unraveling dream symbols, or something totally unexpected? Whatever's on your mind, you can always connect with me on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky, and Mastodon. Or, get more exclusive content over on my blog at goddessvault1.wixsite.com/home.
To make sure you never miss a beat, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter at musicgoddessvault.substack.com to stay in the loop with all the latest updates.
Now, to send us off, here's the spellbinding Death and the Maiden by Magicfolk.
Blessed Be!
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