The Skyward Release
Funeral Pyre
Despite their living in a land of mostly tundra, ice, and snow, the Dracanis keep strong ties to fire and heat. One of those ties is to cremate their deceased. In the Skyward Release, the funeral pyre is built by the individual's Khyimi, or family unit. The pyre is preferentially ignited using embers from the deceased individual's forge or the Khyimi's home hearth. Any of a number of special chemicals or substances are added, or magic can be used, to ensure that the body burns entirely, including bones. Before the cremation, the deceased is draped in cloth of brown, green, or deep golden yellows, the colors of Sarajikk, their god who oversees death. The cremation always begins at dusk.The Reverie
During the cremation, the deceased's Khyimi as well as all other dracanis from their community or nearby, and any others who were close to them or loved them if they can make it, sit what is known as the Reverie. They sit silent, fasting, meditation at the funeral pyre until the body is reduced fully to ashes. During this time, they reflect on their memories of - and with - the deceased. They focus especially on how the deceased was special to them, or how they lived the vitures of Vikkvasa (Selflessness, Bravery, Temperance, Diligence and Moderation), depending on how close they were to the deceased. This process may finish overnight or take several days. During this time, at least one person remains with the pyre at all times. The dracanis, true to their values of temperance and moderation, take breaks away from the pyre as they require them.Dispersal of Ashes
Once the body has been completely reduced to ashes, and the fire extinguished, the ashes are gathered. They are mixed with colored pigments or powdered crystals and given to one person selected by the Khyimi. This might be one of the deceased individual's close romantic partners or a child, but it could be anyone deemed close to the deceased. This individual and the Khyimi's Gaisem, or clergy, travel together to as high a location as possible - the preferred location is a mountain peak, but if that is impractical or unattainable, they will settle for the highest nearby location. The ashes are scattered into the wind; the idea being that the wind carries the deceased's essence to the heavens and spreads their virtues to the world. Ideally, this happens as close as possible to when Dimmen, the moon associated with Sarajikk, is dark. They may, to achieve this, wait a couple of weeks before the dispersal.Remembrance Feast
The last step in the ritual is the remembrance feast, where a feast of food gathered or hunted through communal effort is served. The feast honors the deceased by embodying selflessness and unity. During the feast, the attendees share stories (often the same ones they reflected on during the Reverie) that showcase their affection for the deceased and/or the deceased's best qualities. This is truly a celebration of life.On the Outside
Though Dracanis who are expatriot from Oskksul and their Khyimi are rare, they are not nonexistent. They are, however, prone to finding adoptive families wherever they go. Once they trust these new families, they will usually share the Skyward Release ritual with their new people, or in some cases, write down the steps that need to be taken and keep it on their person.
Header photo edited from stock by Hugo Jehanne on Unsplash. Second photo by Anna Popović on Unsplash.
Meaning of the Colors
The colors of pigment or crystal mixed into the ashes before they are dispersed have meaning to the dracanis. Red indicates the individual died in battle or conflict. Purple is for those who were Geisem in life. Blue is for leaders of Khyimi and parents, Green is for most adults, and Gold or yellow is for those who passed as children.
And from where skies end, do the dead remember a release from the pull of earth. Dwell not on the loss, but remember the life they lived. A wonderful ceremony!
Thank you!