Elven Funeral Rites

Funerals, a day to remember lost loved one. All people on Nibmu remember their fallen. The range from days where the entire civilization moans collectively to individual ceremonies. The elves with the forest of the Middle Kingdom mark the day of a passing elf with a public ceremony. The details depend on the city, but normally the family of the elf that died builds a pyre at the bottom of the building. Then pyre is then lit by the head of the family.

This ceremony is done publically. Elves that knew the fallen and wish pay respects to them can stand and watch. Only the family may participate, and it is considered disrespectful to speak during the process. Some elves say a silent prayer during the ceremony.

It began as a process to remember kings of the elven world. It was ordered by the first king of the elves to burn him in a pyre in the city square. The spot where the fire burned had a small station build over it for other kings to be burned. After a few generations, a few noblemen were also burned at pyres. Within a generation, all High Elves were laid to rest by burning in a pyre. Outside of the elven capital of Haiabad, Wood Elves have also begun using pyres to lay their more respected members to rest.

When the tradition began, the kings were laid to rest with their sword and crown. This shifted later to just be their sword. When the tradition expanded elves were often laid to rest with a prized possession. Lower income individuals were normally wrapped in a tan cloth and burned without anything. Eventually, adding anything to the pyres was forgotten.

Wood Elf cities, because they were built in the trees as opposed to on the ground, only allow pyres to be built on the ground below their council building.

The ritual takes about seven days to complete. The family gathers either just after or near the day of the loved one's death. The body is washed and wood is gathered for the pyre. This is normally done at the same time. For larger families, the immediate family members are given a little longer to mourn and the more distant family members gather the wood and prepare the body.

After the body is washed, and wood gathered. The pyre is built. The size of the pyre depends on the family and is up to the people building it. Normally the pyres are rather small and made for one or two bodies at a time.

The body is then wrapped in cloth. Richer family use a silk with a few different colors. Pour families will use what they have.

At sunset on the following day, a torch is lit at the pyre sight. The body is placed onto the pyre an hour before the pyre is to be lit. The people that wish to watch the proceedings gather then. When the sky is dark the fire will be lit. The family will stand near the pyre until the fire burns out.

Wood Water Cloth for washing Cloth for binding

Can be done by one person. The family will decide who does what roles. Normally: Two to gather wood Two to wash the body Two to bind Four to build the pyre. One to bring the body to the pyre. One to light the fire. The one who lights the fire is the one that is considered the head of the family.

Always done at the end of a High Elf life. Normally done for high ranking Wood Elves.