Mountain Dwarf Funeral

A tradition held by the Mountain Dwarves.
An incredibly old tradition that has been observed since before written history.

Execution

Upon the death of a dwarf, the body of the deceased is cleaned and dressed in the best clothing available to the family of the deceased by someone outside the family, often someone that does this for a job. Once the body has been prepared it is placed in a stone sarcophagus and if the body is in good condition to be viewed the lid of the sarcophagus is left open.
The sarcophagus with the body is placed on an alter or table. The family and friends of the deceased come together in the dinning hall for a large feast. Everyone attending places something of value into the stone sarcophagus, jewels, money, tools or weapons.
Once this is done everyone begins eating. The family prepares a lavish meal and organises drink which is put on one long central table in the dinning hall where everyone will sit together.

When everyone finished eating, the oldest child, sibling, the father or oldest cousin, in this order if the latter are not available, has to sing a lament. They had to prepare a lament in song form before the funeral.
The song is in a sombre but powerful tone, it talks about the accomplishments and great deeds of the deceased as well as other highlights or great journeys they had done.
It then finishes, talking about the deceased finding peace with their ancestors. As the song is sung by the appointed singer, everyone else in the room hums along to the tone and rhythm.
Once the song is finished, everyone attending may go to the sarcophagus one more time and say their last goodbyes.

The sarcophagus is then carried by the family to the Great Halls of the Dead where the deceased then rests until the end of time.

Related Ethnicities

• Mountain dwarf