From: Lee R. Insley (maelstrom@usa.net)
Date: Tue 04 Nov 1997 - 19:34:36 EET
I did a little more digging on some ancient burial and mourning rites
focusing on the Romans under the republic. Originally, I thought this
would be a good fit for the Lunars, but it turns out that it is a fit for
any civilized area (especially Issaries worshippers IMO).
When a person was dying, the Romans believed that they should place the
dying body on the earth to symbolize the future resting place of the
deceased with the feet pointed towards the door to show the spirit the way
out. [Note: Earth cults connections in Glorantha]. When the individual
died, he/she was given a coin to pay for the ferry ride across the river
Styx in the underworld. All members of the family were expected to stand
by the deceased while a professional undertaker prepared the body for
burial. Also, it seems that wealth individuals would have hired mourners
who helped in the mourning process (quite different IMO). Outside of the
door, a cypress (or pine brances) was placed to indicate someone had died
within. [I don't know the significance of the cypress, or if it was left
outside the house after the body was removed]
A funeral procession would be held to take the deceased from his/her home
to the graves outside of the city. The deceased would be dressed in
elaborate clothes fitting for his/her wealth and status. The body would be
carried by 8 men and would be followed by flute players (for young people)
or trumpeters (for aged people). The family would follow this procession
crying alot. Men of the family would wear life-like death masks
representing their ancestors. It seems that these masks were to link the
past with the present. Also, it seems that the public was encouraged to
mourn (called public crying) with the family, and hired mourners were used
to help in this area. At the end of the procession, a speech would be
given detailing the individuals accomplishments. The body would then be
burned, its ashes cooled by wine or water, and the ashes placed in an urn.
A banquet would then be held before the urn was brought into the cemetery.
Once at the cemetery, the family would hold another banquet and place the
urn in the family tomb. After nine days of mourning, another ritual and
banquet was held for the deceased.
Lee
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