I’m enjoying my visit to Reykjavik, Iceland, and although it is cold and rainy (in July!), I’m finding plenty of ways to stay warm. The people, friendly and open, thrive here and welcome visitors with delicious food, drink, and community.
“But my trip is mad…I ain’t finished, I got loads” – Noga Erez
Like other European countries I’ve visited, Iceland is known for its high standard of living. This includes affordable education and subsidized healthcare. Their people take care of each other. As a result, poverty and homelessness are at lower levels here than almost anywhere in the world.
This country also ranks first for gender equality.
So, life in Iceland is amazing. What’s it like to die here?
With its rich cultural history and deep connection to Norse traditions, Iceland has unique death rituals that blend ancient practices with contemporary customs.
Burial Mounds
A “haugur” (plural: “haugar”) is an ancient Norse burial mound and a significant part of Viking-age funerary practices. Ancient Icelanders constructed these mounds as a final resting place for individuals of importance, such as chieftains, warriors, and sometimes wealthy farmers.
Haugar were typically built in prominent locations, often on hilltops or other elevated sites. This made them visible from a distance, honoring their deceased and asserting the family or clan’s power.
They placed the deceased with grave goods such as weapons, jewelry, tools, and household items, and sometimes even sacrificed animals or enslaved people. It was believed these would be needed in the afterlife.
In some cases, especially for high-ranking individuals, mourners used a ship or a representation of a ship as the burial chamber. This symbolized their journey to the beyond. They filled it with similar grave goods and built the mound over the ship.
The Afterlife
Ask Icelanders about Norse mythology and they thrill you with stories. Valhalla, Fólkvangr, and Hel are three distinct realms where their ancestors believed souls would go after death. Each had its own characteristics, inhabitants, and significance.
Valhalla
Valhalla (Old Norse: “Valhǫll,” meaning “Hall of the Slain”) is an enormous hall located high in the heavens and ruled by the god Odin. This majestic hall, with a golden roof made of shields, adorned its walls with spears.
It is a place of great splendor and glory. I never knew that was where the saying “Valhalla of decadence” comes from!
Warriors, called the Einherjar, reside in Valhalla. These souls died bravely in battle. Odin’s Valkyries chose who got in and then brought them from the battlefield.
The Einherjar prepare for the events of Ragnarök, which is the final battle at the end of the world. They spend their days fighting and honing their skills, and their nights feasting and drinking. Valhalla represents the ultimate honor for a warrior, as it is reserved for the bravest and most heroic souls.
Fólkvangr
Fólkvangr (Old Norse: “Field of the People” or “Field of the Warriors”) is a realm overseen by the goddess Freyja. Ancient writers depicted it as a beautiful and expansive meadow or field.
Within Fólkvangr, Freyja resides in Sessrúmnir and hosts the souls she selects. Like Valhalla, Fólkvangr is a resting place for warriors. However, it is Freyja, not Odin, who chooses these warriors. Adherents believe that Freyja receives half of those who die in battle, while the other half goes to Valhalla.
Hel
Hel is the realm of the dead ruled by the goddess Hel, daughter of Loki. Historians describe it as a dark, cold, and misty place. But Icelanders were quick to tell me that it is not a place of punishment, like the Christian concept of Hell. Rather it is a realm for those who died of illness, old age, or other causes not related to battle.
The majority of souls go to Hel, a more common and less glorified afterlife. It underscores the Norse understanding of death as a natural part of life. While not a place of honor like Valhalla or Fólkvangr, it is also not inherently a place of torment.
Funeral Feasts (Erfi)
“Erfi” is an ancient Norse term that refers to funeral feasts held in honor of the deceased. The primary purpose of an erfi was to pay respects. Similar to Latin American funeral feasts, Icelandic mourners utilized this celebration of life and achievements to ensure the community remembered and honored their loved ones after death.
The erfi also served as a crucial social event, bringing together family, friends, and members of the community. It reinforced social ties and provided an opportunity for the redistribution of wealth and resources.
Components of an Erfi
The erfi’s central feature was the abundance of food and drink. The feast included meat, fish, bread, and other staple foods, accompanied by ale, mead, and other beverages. The quality and quantity of the food reflected the deceased and family status.
Storytelling was also an important part of the erfi. Skalds (poets) and family members would recount stories and sagas about the deceased. They highlighted the dead’s actions, virtues, and contributions to the community. These stories helped preserve their memory and values for future generations.
Then loved ones distributed the deceased’s belongings. This could involve the reading of wills and the allocation of property while heirs and other family members receive resources and gifts. This ensured the fair distribution of assets and prevented disputes.
Maybe it’s my Irish and Jewish background, but I always believe that tender talks go better with food and drinks!
Gatherers often performed various rituals and offerings during the erfi. These could include the sacrifice of animals, offerings of food and drink to the gods, and other religious ceremonies. They honored the deceased and sought divine favor.
While the traditional erfi as practiced in ancient times has largely disappeared, elements of it can still be seen in contemporary Icelandic funeral customs. Modern funeral gatherings and memorial services often include aspects of storytelling, remembrance, and the sharing of food and drink.
Contemporary Death Rituals
Most contemporary Icelandic funerals are Christian, involving a church service where mourners sing hymns, say prayers, and give a eulogy. Mourners bury the body in a cemetery or cremate it, with the ashes often scattered in a meaningful location.
Icelanders as a rule do not accept assisted dying (like in Amsterdam, Australia, and other countries I’ve visited) but interest and support are growing for more end-of-life options. Future Icelanders may make that happen.
Mourners display the body in a casket here for some time before the funeral. The wake, or “skráning,” allows family members and friends to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes. This is an important part of the grieving process here.
The “grátur”, another important custom in Icelandic culture, sets aside some time for family members and friends to gather and weep together. This can be a private gathering or a more public event, depending on the family’s preferences.
Afterward, it is common for mourners to gather at the gravesite. Close family members might place flowers, light candles, and say final goodbyes. The cemeteries here are some of the most beautiful and peaceful that I’ve ever seen.
Unique Rituals and Customs
For Icelanders who wish to contribute to their culture and heritage, a tradition exists where families donate manuscripts and writings of the deceased. They go to the Árni Magnússon Institute, preserving their loved one’s legacy.
Icelanders have a unique tradition of naming children after deceased relatives, believing it brings honor and continuity to the family line. They add “son” or “daughter” to the end of the father’s name, depending on the child’s sex at birth.
A record of deceased individuals is often kept in a communal yearbook. This serves as a historical record and a way to honor and remember a dead loved one.
What Rituals Call to You?
These beliefs and death rituals reflect Iceland’s deep connection to both its ancient Norse heritage and its modern traditions. It creates a unique blend of practices that honor the deceased and provide comfort to the living.
Contact me anytime to learn how to incorporate these and other rituals into your own experience.
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