Funeral Rites

Cultures across Exorsia have their own unique customs when it comes to conducting funerals.
Burial. Burying a body underground, usually in a coffin with a tombstone above, is a common practice across Exorsia, though it is illegal in Hepsut.
Cremation. Cremation is one of the more common funeral practices, it involves burning the body. In this funeral rite the ashes of the deceased are often collected and used as mementos or for religious practice. This rite is commonly practised by worshipers of fire gods, like Helios and Hyperion. It is also practised across Hepsut, particularly to avoid the rising of corpses by necromancers.
Mummification. In rare circumstances some bodies are preserved through mummification in a complex ritual. This process often allows the corpse to rise as a powerful undead.
Petrification. Petrification is the act of transforming a body to stone, preserving them in a stony likeness. The statue is then often put in a tomb or catacomb, allowing for visitation from descendants to pay their respects. This is often practised by those of Dwarven heritage, especially those in Dun’Vol or Khaz Moldhur.
Sea Burial. A sea burial involves the body being placed into the sea, usually to be taken by the currents and eaten by the sea life. This funeral rite is often practised by sailors or those who live in seaside settlements, especially by those devoted to sea gods like Poseidon.
Ship Burial. An alternative version of a sea burial where a body is placed on a boat and sent off to sea. Sometimes this also involves lighting the ship on fire. Like a sea burial this funeral rite is often practised by seaside settlements and devotes of sea gods, but it is usually reserved for the wealthy or those important to the community.
Sky Burial. As part of a Sky Burial a body is placed on the mountainside or a tall tower, usually at a specific cultural location, allowing birds and other scavenging animals to feed on it. Many followers of Artemis and Zeus engage in this practice.
Tree Burial. Tree Burials involve the body being buried beneath a tree or other plant source, allowing the corpse to feed the nearby plant life, symbolising the cycle of life, death and rebirth. This is often practised among druidic communities.