Funerals and memorial rites — The road to Valhalla and Hel

For the Vikings, death was not an end, but the beginning of a new journey. The soul continued on to Valhalla, Folkvang, or Hel, depending on the deeds of life, and burial was both a way to honor the dead and to ensure safe passage to the next world.

Rites and symbolism

Burials could be by pyre or ship grave, where the deceased took with them weapons, food, jewelry and sometimes animals – everything needed in the next life. Runes were carved on memorial stones and on objects placed in the grave. They served both as a name sign and as protection:

• ᛦ (yr) – “tree of life, gate of death, transition”
• ᛘ (maðr) – “man, memory, family ties”
• ᚢ (úr) – “strength, courage and guidance for the dead”

The runes were often carved by relatives or priests and placed on burial mounds, ships or stones, as symbols of guidance and protection on the journey to the next world.

Ceremony and memorial service

After the actual burial, funeral feasts were often held, where relatives and the village held libations and told stories of the deceased's exploits. Songs, poems, and stories helped keep the memory alive, while also showing respect for the spirits that were still among the living.

Objects placed in the grave – weapons, jewelry or household utensils – were sometimes carved with runes to protect the deceased and show that they had a continuing bond with the family.

Significance and legacy

Viking funeral rituals demonstrate a deep understanding of the cycles of life and death. Through ritual, sacrifice, and runes, they ensured that the spirit of the deceased did not get lost, and that the family continued to be protected by gods and ancestors.

Many modern traditions, such as All Saints' Day or graveside commemorations, can be traced back to these pagan rites. The symbolic power of the runes shows how Asatruism linked life, death, and the spiritual world.