More on Funerals and Mourning

From: Lee R. Insley <maelstrom_at_usa.net>
Date: Tue, 04 Nov 1997 12:34:36 -0500


I did a little more digging on some ancient burial and mourning rites focusing on the Romans under the republic. Originally, I thought this would be a good fit for the Lunars, but it turns out that it is a fit for any civilized area (especially Issaries worshippers IMO).

When a person was dying, the Romans believed that they should place the dying body on the earth to symbolize the future resting place of the deceased with the feet pointed towards the door to show the spirit the way out. [Note: Earth cults connections in Glorantha]. When the individual died, he/she was given a coin to pay for the ferry ride across the river Styx in the underworld. All members of the family were expected to stand by the deceased while a professional undertaker prepared the body for burial. Also, it seems that wealth individuals would have hired mourners who helped in the mourning process (quite different IMO). Outside of the door, a cypress (or pine brances) was placed to indicate someone had died within. [I don't know the significance of the cypress, or if it was left outside the house after the body was removed]

A funeral procession would be held to take the deceased from his/her home to the graves outside of the city. The deceased would be dressed in elaborate clothes fitting for his/her wealth and status. The body would be carried by 8 men and would be followed by flute players (for young people) or trumpeters (for aged people). The family would follow this procession crying alot. Men of the family would wear life-like death masks representing their ancestors. It seems that these masks were to link the past with the present. Also, it seems that the public was encouraged to mourn (called public crying) with the family, and hired mourners were used to help in this area. At the end of the procession, a speech would be given detailing the individuals accomplishments. The body would then be burned, its ashes cooled by wine or water, and the ashes placed in an urn. A banquet would then be held before the urn was brought into the cemetery.

Once at the cemetery, the family would hold another banquet and place the urn in the family tomb. After nine days of mourning, another ritual and banquet was held for the deceased.

Lee


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