The ‘dead’ person should be wrapped in a cloth shroud (The Sheet). The dead person is a primary guest at the funeral, because s/he may very well need to be there. In addition, the family members and coven friends can assist in the journey on and themselves in grieving by acknowledging and blessing the ‘dead’.

The person chosen to ‘die’ will be a physical form for everyone else to express they’re grief too, the barer of message’s to the other world, much like ancient human sacrifices. All in attendance will grieve for the departed that our ‘dead volunteer’ represents, speaking and sharing memories, from past grief.

The Funeral Ritual

NOTE - ALL CIRCLE CASTING TO BE DONE WIDDERSHINS

The ritual space will be prepared as follows: cleared of furniture, with a candle at each of the cardinal directions and two flanking the main altar. The corpse should be laid out at the altar. Purify the Circle with Salt, Water, and Incense, Sweep and Cast the Circle as usual.

(As the mourners wait at the edge to the ritual space, the Priestess shall sweep out the Circle.) She shall replace the beesom by the main altar, The Priest will then pick up the sword and cast the Circle in silent reverence.

Bring people into the Circle as usual. Blessing and Anointing, then showing them to they’re place in the Circle.

Call corners Beginning with West. The assistants should do this and the directions should have been assigned ahead of time:

West:
"As the sun sets, So our friend has left us, The water of our tears like the salt water of the sea, and like the water of our mothers' womb, blesses this Circle."

South:
"As life is a day So our friend has passed into the night The fire of our life, the memories and courage, the strength given to us by our friend blesses this Circle."

East:
"As all that falls shall rise again So our friend will be reborn The air we breath, this treasure of our life, the compassionate caring we give each other blesses this Circle."

North:
"As the Earth forms us So our friend shall return to the earth Our Mother feeds us, and clothes us. She gives us everything and in the end she takes our bodies back. And earth blesses this Circle."

(God and Goddess Invocation)

PRIEST:
"You are the Goddess, as are all women. You give birth. You feed the children from your own body. And You take them back for a new birth. World without end, eternal creation."

PRIESTESS:
"And you are the God, as are all men. You are born. You live and You die, only to be born again. All Father, All Destroyer, ruler of the land of the dead. "

Priest & Priestess TOGETHER:
"Birth and death. Over and over and over."

(The Priestess turns and addresses the corpse:) “On this night of Samhain I mark your passing, Through the sunset into the Land of the Young. I mark also the passing of all who have gone before, and all who will go after. In a sacred space we have gathered to honor you and to give you some things to take on the journey with you. You who gives birth to the fallen, teach me to know that in the time of our greatest Darkness there is too our greatest Light.”

(PRIEST Addresses the corpse:)

“We will remember you always and at Samhain we will bless and keep your memory for years to come.”

The Circle will chant, quietly while everyone who wishes to comes to the main altar and shares or leaves in writing to the one they have lost with the ‘dead’ person:

(CHANT)

“For those who've gone before us
And those who've gone before them”

When everyone who wishes to has talked the Priestess will say:
“Journey on now. We will follow when we can. May you be born again at the same time and in the same place as those you knew and loved in this life. May you know them again and love them again.”

All:
“May we know you and love you”

DEAD rises and says:
“I have been to the other side and do not fear, I was greeted by love. While I have been mourned, and mourned in return, I will see you all again every year, when the leaves turn.”

(Dead Departs as a Soul would leave the body)

Fortune Telling Beyond the curtain, (Tarot reading by the 'deceased')

The Directions will be dismissed as the body is being wrapped with the following:
East - "The sun will rise again."
South - "Life continues"
West - "Love is all that we can be sure of."
North - "Only the mother is eternal."

A pillar candle shall be lit after the body is wrapped and left to burn while the crowd files out of the Circle. Sybolic of a funeral pyre.

Circle is Closed
Feast Begins After a plate and drink are placed beside the pillar candle.