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Summerlands Funeral Rite

by Erika Brown

Descendant is already seated in the center of the Nemeton, close to the main altar. There is another seat for the Ancestor next to where the Descendant sits. Drumming and processional leads attendees into the Nemeton.

Senior Druid:

We are here to honor the life of (Ancestor’s name) and commemorate her/his journey into the Summerlands. Lo, an Ancestor is made!

All: An Ancestor is made!

Senior Druid:

Hail to our Ancestors!

All: (holding upraised hands together) Hail to our Ancestors!

Senior Druid:

Hail to our Kindred!

All: (holding upraised hands together) Hail to our Kindred!

Senior Druid:

Hail to the Mysteries!

All: (holding upraised hands together) Hail to the Mysteries!

(Deep bass 3-beat rhythm as all are censed, aspersed and whacked with a mistletoe sprig)

Awakening the Fire

Grove Seer:

Fires of Creation come forth within us, within our Nemeton! Sacred Fire be a beacon for (Ancestor’s name), guiding her/him to Tech Duinn, the house of the Dead, the resting-place of souls on their journey to the Summerlands. Sacred Fire awaken!

All: Sacred Fire awaken!

(Grove Seer lights the Fire and upraises arms in a swooshing motion as flames leap forth)

Summoning the Well
(Uncover the Well and stir the water x3, dropping in a hazelnut each time)

Grove Bard:

Waters of Memory flow forth within us, within our Nemeton! Holy Waters be a swift current for (Ancestor’s name), carrying her/him smoothly to Tech Duinn, the house of the Dead, the resting-place of souls on their journey to the Summerlands. Holy Well, flow forth!

All: Holy Well flow forth!

Establishing the Apple Tree

Senior Druid:

Tree of All Worlds grow forth within us, within our Nemeton! Holy apples of the Otherworld be a gift for (Ancestor’s name), welcoming her/him to Tech Duinn, the house of the Dead, the resting-place of souls on their journey to the Summerlands. Sacred Tree grow strong!

All: Sacred Tree grow strong!

Descendant:

(Uses own eulogy, or) (Ancestor’s name), hear me! I thank you for the time our souls shared together. You are not gone, but live in my memory eternal and my life is richer for your presence. Journey well into the Summerlands (Ancestor’s name), and take your place among the Ancestors in the Otherworld.

(The Descendant takes flame from the Sacred Fire, walks to and lights the Ancestor Fire to the Southwest)

(Three full horn soundings accompanied by rapid deep bass drumming. If possible, the attendees simultaneously wail, keen or otherwise intone).

Invoking the Gatekeeper as Psychopomp:
(Manannan Mac Lir, or use imagery chosen by the Descendant). If Manannan, He is invoked as a ferryman who, in his unerring boat, guides the Ancestor to the shores of Tech Duinn, and gives a welcoming gift of an Otherworld apple to the newly arrived Ancestor. Ancestor takes the apple then steps ashore, being welcomed by the Ancestors of the Grove community. Mist enshrouds and we return to our present moment and place within the Nemeton.

Descendant:

Manannan, I thank you for your protection and guidance of (Ancestor’s name) on her/his journey. (Gives gift to Manannan at Well or Ancestor Shrine).

Senior Druid:

We thank you (Descendant’s name) for sharing with us your memories of your Ancestor (Ancestor’s name). Find peace within yourself, take comfort in the warm embrace of your loved ones around you, and be resolved in the knowledge that this life’s journey of (Ancestor’s name) is completed. Returned to the womb of the Great Mother! (Large, roughly carved Sheila-na-Gig is unveiled).

Senior Druid:

As (Ancestor’s name) is departed from the world of the Folk, so let us close the gates between the Otherworld. Let the Tree recede into the realm of the Other, let the Well now be only water and let the Fire now be only smoke and ash. Let all be as it was before. Let the gates be closed.

All: Let the gates be closed.

Senior Druid:

Let us all give support and nurturing to (Descendant’s name) with warm hugs and feasting. Thus our rite is ended.

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The Ancestor Shrine is decorated as the Descendant desires, but should include apples, a favorite food and beverage of the Ancestor, a picture or other representation of the Ancestor, an article of the Ancestor’s clothing and jewelry if possible, the name of the Ancestor written on a piece of paper.

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