Cremation or burial on land or sea to emulate Viking funeral rites and customs is a real possibility in the USA. Learn morehere. No, Im not morbid enough to obsessively worry how Ill be buried. Even if the Vikings did manage to get this type of funeral send-off right, unfortunately, there is definitely no way your family could logistically get away with it today. This law not only applies to all timeshares located in Florida, but also those offered for sale in Florida. No state law requires routine embalming for every . January 2023; December 2022; November 2022; October 2022; September 2022; August 2022; Categories. These were men of the sea, and in death, they accepted the sea to become their tomb. Why does the state get to decide how we are buried or cremated? People often confuse the terms Norse and Scandinavian. There is also concern that modern hygiene standards may not be appropriate for a funeral conducted 810 years ago when sanitation was less developed. It is legal to have an authentic Viking funeral, even though it would be logistically impossible and completely illegal. Once the cremation is over, the bones of the deceased are still in large pieces. . This website is affiliated with Urns Northwest. The idea was sparked by an article I came across recently. Valuables are more likely to be split up in ownership than burned or buried with a body. The answer is quite simple. You can be cremated, through your cremation of choice - In a crematorium or if you can arrange it legally, on an open-aired pyre in Crestone Colorado. A viking funeral is not legal in the USA. It was a product of its time. The body needs to be encased in a submergible casket or shroud and needs to be laid to rest at least 3 nautical miles from the coast and between 600 and 1,900 feet deep. At this point, living standards are starting to drop, so you can expect more authoritarianism. Most states allow this. Despite the Hollywood depictions, most Vikings were actually sent to the afterlife either by cremation or burial on land.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',107,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-107{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Others feel they are unique historical artifacts that should be preserved and studied. The truth is that because it is very difficult to cremate a body properly, it would be impossible to do it on a boat, on the water. Save Money on a Funeral by Buying the Casket Online. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Thanks for writing this. Crematoriums are seen as the safest option for cremation. Check out our link above if you want to learn more details about the costs of a funeral. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_14',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-narrow-sky-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-narrow-sky-1-0_1');.narrow-sky-1-multi-114{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}, If you are able to get this far out, you could technically burn the ashes at sea, however, youd have to make sure all of the materials are biodegradable as anything placed in the water must easily decompose in a marine environment.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-netboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-netboard-2','ezslot_19',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-netboard-2-0_1');.netboard-2-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Funeral Pyres & Open Air Cremation Is It Legal? The Vikings were a group of Scandinavian seafaring warriors who left their homelands from around 800 A.D. to the 11th century, and raided coastal towns. Open-air cremations, or funeral pyres, are mostly illegal in the USA. Viking pyres & remains set on fire: legal or not? However, only a handful of such pyre services are allowed each year, and they're exclusively for Crestone residents. This site is owned and operated by the founder of FuneralCompanion.com. Manage Settings These include the gods Odin, Thor, Skadi, Freya, and others. There are some ways to emulate a Viking burial in every state. While Valhalla never really existed outside of Norse mythology (at least not during the height of Viking culture), its story provides an exciting glimpse into the beliefs and customs of one of historys most iconic cultures! FuneralCompanion.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. link to Is Cremation Cheaper Than Burial: Full 2022 Cost Analysis, link to 10 Popular Sympathy Plants for a Funeral & Their Meaning. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. A bill in the state legislature would allow designated sites in the state to conduct open . Related: 50 Beautiful Examples of Cremation Jewelry. This day, Ragnarok, would be the end of the world, when all warriors would be called on to lead a charge against a demonic army and slay monsters that tried to destroy the world of man. I am, of course, very sorry for your loss and you have my deepest condolences. Alternatively, you could bury it, just as the real Vikings would have done.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'funeralcompanion_com-portrait-1','ezslot_20',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-portrait-1-0'); If you are particularly handy, you could build your own Viking Longship to house human remains in before they are re-cremated. Instead, Vikings burned bodies in a funeral pyre on land or buried them in a boat with their possessions. Read our full disclosure here. The funds were approved under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Thanks for reading The Take (by Jon Miltimore)! In the United States, open-air cremation is legal only in Crestone, Colorado, according to the US Funerals Online blog. Overall, cremations have a few benefits: If youre looking for more of a financial breakdown of funerals, check out our article here. Funerals that are true to the Viking spirit, however, can still happen even today. First, lets talk about how much cremations have risen just over the last decade. Timeshare owners should always be wary of the fraudulent tactics pushed by exit companies. For some, this may be therapeutic as a way of saying goodbye. These ceremonies only allow twelve funerals a year and are strictly regulated by the state of Colorado. A slave, or even a wife, of a Viking buried by ship would be sent out with them to die in the same fire and sink into the sea so that the king or warrior wouldnt be alone on their eternal journey. Are Viking funerals legal anywhere in the world? In Florida, there are no state laws that restrict where you may keep or scatter ashes. Who think about the way we live the deceased was placed in a Viking funeral entails putting. It actually wasnt historically common for Vikings to burn bodies as they floated on the water. This is a much more reasonable funeral tradition, as you can do this in certain states. So, while the flaming Viking burial ship might inspire awe, not everything from their culture is worthy of emulation. I did not realize there was something called the 'progressive era'. Notably, Maine considered a bill thatd legalize open-air cremations in the state. When it comes to funerals and posthumous decisions, people are more frequently choosing options that are better for the environment. However, due to technical limitations with how fires are lit in boats at sea, this process didnt always result in effective burning of the body. However, its important to recognize that this type of funeral may not be ideal for everyone. Where pop culture took over the Viking funeral tradition was regarding cremations. Whether you choose to cremate your loved ones or bury them on your property, theres no doubt youre saving a lot of money. A Viking funeral can help families cremate their loved ones while still actively watching and participating in the event. Viking funerals are generally illegal in most countries around the world. Burning a human body can emit harmful chemicals that arent healthy for humans to breathe. Burial at sea is legal in certain limited circumstances, but its still subject to local laws and regulations. It can also be pretty expensive. According to archeologist and Viking specialist Dr. Neil Price there are over 500,000 known graves from the Viking period. In fact, according to Viking lore it was shameful to die any other way. Unfortunately, this service is only extended to the residents of the local community in order to keep wait times and scheduling under control. FuneralCompanion.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The United States has laws regulating the cremation of a dead body. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. I cant say this for certain, but I suspect for much of American history the state didnt have much of a say in it. This was the traditional disposition method for the typical Viking. Check! Funerals are expensive, but there are certain ways you can save money without being cheap. The Viking afterlife was known as Valhalla. Manage Settings Valhalla was initially described in Viking poetry as a beautiful land of eternal sunshine and happiness. But in the Viking era, over 1,000 years ago, people knew that fire would burn the bodies away. There are several ways to imitate a Viking burial in any state. Lastly, a few words may be said about Ahmad Ibn Fadlan's famous description of a Viking funeral .Ibn Fadlan was a 10 th century Arab who was part of the embassy sent by the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad to Volga Bulgaria (in modern day Russia). Sometimes Viking chiefs could act as intermediaries with the gods. So, even if lawmakers decide to allow Viking funerals, we need to prepare ourselves and our children for any trauma that might arise from it. You may choose to keep it in storage until needed, or you may want to display as a fascinating discussion piece. The idea was sparked by an article I came across recently in Cowboy State Daily that delved into Viking funeralsand dished on the one place in the country you can get one. But are burials at sea legal? People are commonly choosing green caskets, forgoing embalming, or selecting cremation for themselves or their loved ones. Viking funerals are illegal everywhere in the U.S., including Texas, but there are two spots in Colorado where you can burn peoples remains outdoors. It is possible to have a burial at sea as it falls under the Disposal at Sea provisions of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Be inspired. But the stuff of legends may be just that. While funeral directors are there to help, some people may prefer to deal with death privately. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Ground penetrating rada r reveals more graves as its usage grows. However, in most states, Viking funerals are considered illegal because they incorporate elements of paganism. Overall, the rise of interest in Viking funerals is no surprise when considering the increase in cremations over the past decade. Early Vikings believed that cremation would help send a spirit to the sky, and many sects carried out standard burials in open spaces where many bodies would be collected, not unlike a modern graveyard. The stories of the creation and end of the world according to Norse mythology and the exploits of Viking gods such as Odin, Thor . Vikings performed open-air cremations for their loved ones. The Vikings have not been active for a millennium, but Viking funerals still inspire a sense of awe and wonder. US Urns Online exists to to help you through this difficult time by providing the very best information and the best funeral products. So how do people who want a Viking funeral get around this? (1) The Legislature recognizes that purchasers of preneed burial rights, funeral or burial merchandise, or funeral or burial services may suffer serious economic harm if purchase money is not set aside for future use as intended by the purchaser and that the failure to maintain cemetery grounds properly may cause significant emotional stress. Ultimately, its up to each community to decide whether or not they want a Viking-style funeral within their borders. But you will have to make sure of this first. If you've watched HBO's Game of Thrones, House Tully does it for their deceased patriarch.George R.R. Relevant Florida Statutes and Rules. What Happens When You Die? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_11',110,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-1-multi-110{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}The EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency) may issue special permits, research permits, emergency permits, and general permits for ocean dumping. The modern version of a Viking funeral featuring a body burned in a boat at sea is illegal. Save information for later by printing or sharing. This isnt a new idea, as many funeral homes allow for witness cremations or the ability to watch the cremation process for your loved one begin. They were buried with their wealth, and sometimes with the living at their side. And people might want to think twice about open-air cremation, Pray said. So if youre planning on having a Viking funeral in Florida or anywhere else for that matter make sure you get all the necessary permits first! The facility that performs these outdoor cremations is the only one of its kind in all of the United States. According to federal law, the crematory or the funeral home should instruct about the alternative containers. Pressed wood, unfinished wood, cardboard, or fiberboard are the common materials used for cremation caskets and alternative containers. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. So, cemeteries usually have certain requirements for what you can bury your loved one in. Where are Viking send offs legal? If you are still interested in a Viking funeral, first check with your local authorities if their jurisdiction allows it. Many people choose to have a 4Funeral.com is a participant in the TrustedCaskets affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to trustedcaskets.com. This means that the body must be burned rather than buried, and there must be some sort of ceremony or ritual associated with the funeral. I cant say this for certain, but I suspect for much of American history the state, have much of a say in it. Wind can carry away any ashes that remain, although therell still be some larger pieces remaining for collection. The Vikings had a variety of funerary rituals that would differ depending on their status. A Detailed Account of a Viking Funeral . While we cant always predict how well react to something, its important to consider the possible trauma it may cause. They need a lot of fire, and it needs to be extremely hot. Throughout the United States, only Crestone, Colorado has the permission to cremate bodies outside. Generally speaking, funerals for Vikings were elaborate affairs meant to express ones wealth and status in the community. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funeralcompanion_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_16',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); You could also burn something important of the deceaseds, a lock of hair or a photograph instead of the ashes. Despite these Hollywood depictions, Viking funerals and cremations were held on land. Our website is supported by our users. Not only do they cost a whole heck of a lot less, but they are also actually closer to the way that Scandinavians in the Viking age would have buried their dead.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'funeralcompanion_com-netboard-1','ezslot_17',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-netboard-1-0'); You can find out more about green burials in a more in-depth article I wrote here. Even today, many identify with the earthy and brave warrior quality of our ancestors, the Vikings. While many agree that cremations are a lot less harmful to the environment than traditional burials, theres still cause for concern. green burials in a more in-depth article I wrote here. Burning the body of a loved one outside, even on public property, is currently illegal in the USA. They are iconic indeed, but are Viking funerals legal? Your email address will not be published. This is part of the reason why crematoriums have such strong guidelines, which they must follow to keep workers and nearby residents safe. Why Are Viking Funerals Illegal in the USA? The rich Norsemen would have families and servants to whom they would pass on their earthly goods, but not all wealth would be inherited. A traditional Viking funeral consists of burning the body or its remains in an open-air funeral pyre, together with loved trinkets for the afterlife. The goal of a Viking funeral was to ensure that the deceaseds soul would journey to Valhalla (the Norse paradise) as soon as possible. Maine may soon legalize Viking-style funeral pyres. Cremation renders ashes harmless, so there is no public health risk involved in scattering ashes. Treasures accompany the decedent. Prayers and rituals to Norse gods, especially relating to entry into Valhalla. Most of the Western world does not allow open-air cremation. cremations are legal in the United States, You can be cremated, through your cremation of choice In a crematorium or if you can arrange it legally, on an open-aired pyre in, You could opt to then be buried in a ship-shaped barrow or mound, with your treasures and memorabilia, awaiting Valhalla. There arent quite so many warrior cultures in the world that accept someone who wants to fight forever. This can add some extra flair to the spectacle from afar. But under certain circumstances, families can apply to the minister for Housing and . While Viking funerals arent currently legal in all 50 states, that doesnt mean theyve never been attempted or done before just that its usually not allowed by law. Celebrate your loved one. Overall, a Viking funeral is an emotional experience that will help honor the life of your loved one and reflect their personality and beliefs onto the world they left behind. A lot can change over time for example, if your local government decides that burials at sea are no longer allowed, you will likely need to reconsider your plans. At that time, it was realized that burning bodies in large flames created toxic smoke and particles that could travel far and wide. Though these Viking funerals seem fun to celebrate your loved ones life, theyre highly controversial and pose serious health risks for those participating. Lets clear this up right away. If youre interested in having a Viking funeral anyway, check with your local authorities first to see if its permitted under their jurisdiction. A Viking-style memorial service could be a special way to mark the life of someone you loved, after their funeral at a modern-day crematorium. This means that you wont be able to collect all the ashes after the funeral is complete. Keep reading an article to find out where are Viking funerals legal. Some believe Viking funerals violate traditional burial practices and disrespect the dead. It was also said to be ruled by Odin (the god associated with war, death, wisdom, and magic), where heroes who had fought bravely in battle could live forever alongside him. The growing favoritism of cremation has changed the choices people have made when it comes to death and funerals. Cemeteries take up a lot of land space here in the USA. If you wish to scatter ashes, you have many options. Sometimes, a cemetery may even require a burial vault to go along with the container. Unfortunately, there isnt much we can do about this unless theres a way to burn the body of a lost loved one in a non-residential area or reach those high cremation temperatures outside a crematorium. Interestingly enough, Viking funerals are not that different from modern-day funerals in how theyre conducted. When it's time to plan for the funeral of a loved one, you want to do right by them and adhere to their wishes. Florida permits families to establish cemeteries if they are smaller than two acres and do not sell burial spaces or merchandise. For the Vikings, things were no different. This keeps the fire below any hazard levels, which can then be burned in a controlled manner. Although the answer to this question depends on the specific community in Florida . So, it was common for Vikings to burn their loved ones. Viking funerals are a type of open-air They (Vikings) were more likely to drag the boat ashore and burn it on dry land with the chieftains body and his possessions inside, or just bury the entire boat without setting it on fire, Pray told Cowboy State Daily. A Viking funeral can be costly, depending on the size and complexity of the ceremony. It's a way of sending off the dead that's still widely practiced in some parts of the world but there are only two sites in the United States where it's legal, both in Colorado, only one of them public. The old ways, funeral pyres or ship burning, are not permitted. Whether its the pop culture-influenced version of the Viking funeral or the traditional cremation process, its actually illegal in the USA. At the feast everyone would drink a special funeral ale, also called sjaund, in excess. Even though there have been some changes over time (such as shorter ceremonies), much of what we know about Viking funerals comes from archaeological evidence rather than written records. Burial at sea is entirely legal under US law but is regulated. Ive seen it, and its actually a gruesome process, he said. As mentioned previously, real Viking funerals are legal, and having one is actually rather simple too. These ceremonies only allow twelve funerals a year and are strictly regulated by the state of Colorado. They were buried with their personal belongings and some grave goods to transport their spirit to Valhalla, and often a broken spear so that the warrior could fight in his afterlife. This allows the wind to carry the soul to Valhalla. Only time will tell if this will become an additional location for open-air cremations in the future. In order to perform a Viking-style funeral pyre, one will need a very high-temperature fire 1,000 Celsius (C) or 2,000 Fahrenheit (F). Simply place the cremated ashes into the hull of the boat and then have the send-off you have dreamed of! This contrasts the Christianity-influenced belief in heaven and hell, where peoples souls would be judged after death. Rule chapter 69K, Florida Administrative Code, contains the rules which implement chapter 497 . Funerals in the Viking Age were elaborate affairs, with mourning families often spending ten days or more planning and executing their loved ones funeral. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. So, lets talk about some of the changes that weve already seen when it comes to traditional funeral practices and how they may lead to the return of Viking funerals in the USA. Many images used on this site are sourced from Canva.comif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'funeralcompanion_com-large-leaderboard-1','ezslot_23',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funeralcompanion_com-large-leaderboard-1-0');report this ad, link to 67 Things To Message Someone Who Just Suffered A Miscarriage, link to 40+ Comforting Bibles Verses To Read After A Miscarriage, restrict the dumping of bodies into the ocean, Vikings were actually sent to the afterlife, Mark Hamilton makes with cremains by visiting his site here, he United States Environmental Protection Agency. Viking funerals could give people a real chance to save money and avoid dealing with a funeral director at all. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue But once you shoot burning arrows at a body, thats where the law gets involved. Its a flashy, impressive way to send off a loved one, especially if they lived and died for the glory of battle. Viking burial generally included items that indicated wealth and status such as weapons, people would agree that a Viking burial is the ultimate way to go when it comes, Viking funeral is an emotional experience that will help honor, Viking funeral custom dates back thousands of years and is believed to symbolize, Viking funerals might seem like a strange practice. So, burning a body on a boat and sending it out to sea is actually not a traditional Viking funeral custom. Green burials are becoming more popular and aim to impact the environment as little as possible. Vikings were notorious in keeping and trading slaves across the northern Atlantic. These ceremonies usually occur at sea and involve burying a persons entire body (including their clothes) in a sealed concrete casket. Heres What They Look Like, 70 Best Memorial Plaques for Outdoors, Gifts, Photos, & More, 101 Beautiful Letting Go Quotes to Overcome a Loss, Disposition by flaming ship, funeral pyre, or burial, Prayers and rituals to Norse gods, especially relating to entry into Valhalla, After seven days, the community holds a ritual funeral feast. They have to know what youre burning and how big the fire will get. They thought everything good and bad happened for a reason, so preparing for ones death meant accepting whatever fate awaited them with gratitude and hope for future happiness. Viking Funerals can be arranged in todays world with the help of a creative funeral director. One thing that we know for sure about the funeral industry, is handling the arrangements ourselves can save us a lot of money. In addition, there have been reports of law enforcement officials raiding funeral homes suspected of conducting Viking funerals without proper permits.