Can anyone tell about the burial rites of passage for a fallen Norse warrior that died in combat?

Question

I find myself facinated by norse culture and beleifs.

i'm 32 and i don't go to school any more, i want to no because i'm thinking of different way i can be buried when i die, sure maybe it's a little strange but i don't want just a regular burial and funeral i want something great and awe inspiring.

Answer 1

The funeral sequence from the movie "The 13th Warrior" is very close to the historical norse viking tradition. In fact the whole movie is based on historical texts so it is a good source for your fascination. Very good movie; a must-see.

Answer 2

Paladin's answer regarding the movie, "The 13th Warrior" is close to being correct.

This movie is based on a book called "Eaters of the Dead" which is based on an Arab emissary 's account, who sailed up the Ural River in approximately 900 CE, and recorded the life of the Viking community he encountered.

The death squence in the movie was only used for the leaders, and the missing element is the virgins the man would need in Valhalla (heaven), along with his tools, weapons and household goods. These young women would be tied up aboard the ship with nooses around their necks and the other end held by the oldest women in the community, who would be standing on the shore. There was a long-winded ceremony outlining the valour of the dead leader, what teachings his heirs got, what messages would be sent to the gods, and just before it was time to set the ship on fire the older women would pull on the ropes until the young women were strangled.

I repeat - This was the account of the Arab emissary of the Viking community he encountered. This does not mean it was the same for every Viking community, as found on the British Isles and North-Western Europe each community's culture varied from the next.

Answer 3

The burning of Norse Warriors who had died in combat actually did not start until what is known as the Iron Age. During what is known as the Bronze Age those of great wealth or those who had died in battle were often buried in great Megalithic tombs like the ones at Skara Brae. In fact the way they were buried ensured that their bodies were preserved intact until discovery by archeaologists. Although not enough stone exists to build yourself a large mosuleum (spelling?) you could in theory copy the basic style. Though I may not have all the steps here is my understanding of how it was done: first you obviously dig the hole you intend to bury the person in. Secondly line the bottom of the grave with either a thick layer of clay or heather (type of moss or lichen) packed down hard. Next bury the body in a casket of either oak or pine (not sure if the type of wood affects it or not). The wood must be untreated. Water must be allowed to soak through. What is supposed to occur if I understand correctly is that when it rains rain water will filter down through the soil till it is stopped by the clay or heather. This will cause all the rain water to build up in and around the casket causing the wood to rot and release tanning agents found in the wood. Similar chemicals found naturally in the surrounding soil will also leak into the casket embalming the body in a natural tanning solution that will kill off bacteria in the body thus preserving it. Best of all this is enviromentally friendly since no man made chemicals are used. I understand that a body buried this way can last up to eight or ten years and that because of the addition of the cold climate of the time in Nordic countries some of the bodies lasted for several thousand years. Personally given the chance I would go for the cremation since it kinda fits my personal philosophy of annihilation.

Answer 4

"A Viking warrior would be buried with his weapons, usually his sword, spear, shield and battleaxe. In many cases, the dead man would be accompanied by his horse or dogs. Sometimes - in what seems to us a barbaric and cruel custom another person might be sacrificed to accompany the dead person to Valhalla (Odin's hall), the ultimate destination of all Viking warriors."

From Wikipedia:
"Norse warriors were sometimes buried with slave girls with the belief that the women would become their wives in Valhalla. A detailed eyewitness account of such a burial was given by Ahmad ibn Fadlan as part of his account of an embassy to the Volga Bulgars in 921. In his description of the funeral of a Scandinavian chieftain, a slave girl volunteers to die with her master. After ten days of festivities, she is stabbed to death by an old woman (a sort of priestess who is referred to as 'Angel of Death', see Völva) and burnt together with the deceased in his boat (see ship burial, Oseberg)."

Answer 5

Viking warriors would be buried with their weapons, such as his battle ax, shield, sword and spears. Also there were some cases in which someone may be sacrificed to accompany him on his journey to Valhalla (the final destination for fallen Viking warriors(also sometime's called Odin's Hall). He might also be buried with his horse.

Sometimes they were buried in boats or ships. The Oseburg ship that is now on display in Oslo is thought to have been the burial ship of a Norse Queen...possibly Queen Asa, in which case, I want it, as I'm her descendant, and it would look bitchin' in my yard. .

Edit...Yeah, and that would be a pretty cool way to be buried. I'm going to have to build myself a nice Viking ship before I go.

Answer 6

Commoners were generally burned, but if you had any wealth you may have been buried with it.

Answer 7

sori cant help u there. but r u sure ur just facinated or is this homework or somethin(JK)

Answer 8

THEY WOULD CREMATE THEIR DEAD ON FUNERAL PYRES.........