Olian Funeral
Execution
For those who die at home covering the eyes or head of the dead with a mask or bag is done so that the dead can't blame anyone for moving them. Olia practice tomb burial - sometimes having a clan graveyard house for funerals and burial. The door for such buildings is facing north. Bodies of Druids or Wizards/ shaman are burnt and the ashes placed at the tomb thresholds as magical protection.
Funerals will start on the threshold of the Graveyard house, with an invocation of the clan spirits by the Mask Society of the Clan, specifically the opposite moiety faction. The funeral party will then enter to the where the casket is. The House and family are asked to speak or offer memories. The Cannibal Society will perform dances and songs that should make the space safe. The Ghost Society will then tell about the deceased and the spirit journey they will take. Druid or Shaman blessings close the ceremony as the casket is interred. Special observances are performed for potentially hazardous dead by the Ghost Society members.
A memorial Gifting ceremony and feast is held after 40 days. See Olia Gifting Ritual .
Funerals will start on the threshold of the Graveyard house, with an invocation of the clan spirits by the Mask Society of the Clan, specifically the opposite moiety faction. The funeral party will then enter to the where the casket is. The House and family are asked to speak or offer memories. The Cannibal Society will perform dances and songs that should make the space safe. The Ghost Society will then tell about the deceased and the spirit journey they will take. Druid or Shaman blessings close the ceremony as the casket is interred. Special observances are performed for potentially hazardous dead by the Ghost Society members.
A memorial Gifting ceremony and feast is held after 40 days. See Olia Gifting Ritual .
Observance
The funeral itself depends partially upon the dead person themselves.
Virtuous dead: those who upheld clan, family, and lodge/ society and died with a surplus that others owed them. These persons are likely to be taken into the Totem's Halls and possibly be promoted to higher spiritual levels. The Ghost Dance society memorializes them and their funeral gifting is one where the living pay the family what is owed the deceased, plus interest to put the dead in debt to the living.
The Good Dead: this is a person who has not great faults but no great debts owed to them. The ghosts of these persons travel to the north and enter the underworld, cold and without many pleasures. They may be reincarnated after a time - but may be given life as a totem subject species before they may be reborn as a human.
The bad dead: those who died in anger/ unfinished business, in debt or who's bodies are lost. These may remain as haunting ghosts or become walking undead. Even if not returning to worry the living, they still must pass to the north and into the underworld to consider their faults. They may face several totem incarnations to clean the soul. To prevent rising the body may be dismembered, bound, placed face down with stakes of wood or iron. Where no body is available a proxy is made and special rituals are performed by the DrownedKing and Bonegatherer Societies.
Fallen/ Corrupted/ Demon beasts: These are malignant, evil and hurtful individuals. Criminals, Vagrants, or mean spirited. In life they may be branded with the 3-eyes mark if criminal or monstrous. These will pass to the north to be harvested by demons and devils and forged into servants of Malice and destruction. The body must be burned or dismembered and scattered.
Virtuous dead: those who upheld clan, family, and lodge/ society and died with a surplus that others owed them. These persons are likely to be taken into the Totem's Halls and possibly be promoted to higher spiritual levels. The Ghost Dance society memorializes them and their funeral gifting is one where the living pay the family what is owed the deceased, plus interest to put the dead in debt to the living.
The Good Dead: this is a person who has not great faults but no great debts owed to them. The ghosts of these persons travel to the north and enter the underworld, cold and without many pleasures. They may be reincarnated after a time - but may be given life as a totem subject species before they may be reborn as a human.
The bad dead: those who died in anger/ unfinished business, in debt or who's bodies are lost. These may remain as haunting ghosts or become walking undead. Even if not returning to worry the living, they still must pass to the north and into the underworld to consider their faults. They may face several totem incarnations to clean the soul. To prevent rising the body may be dismembered, bound, placed face down with stakes of wood or iron. Where no body is available a proxy is made and special rituals are performed by the DrownedKing and Bonegatherer Societies.
Fallen/ Corrupted/ Demon beasts: These are malignant, evil and hurtful individuals. Criminals, Vagrants, or mean spirited. In life they may be branded with the 3-eyes mark if criminal or monstrous. These will pass to the north to be harvested by demons and devils and forged into servants of Malice and destruction. The body must be burned or dismembered and scattered.
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