Aurician Funeral Customs

According to tradition, Grand Duke Stalcast Bijäl was the first to be buried in this manner with all the particulars below, except that he was buried beneath then Palace Bijäl.

Dusk or Dawn

held at dusk or dawn, when it is neither day nor night. This is for two reasons. It is evocative of the change from life to death or the border between day and night. It is thought to confuse numinous powers so they won’t interfere with the voyage of the soul to the afterlife. Within about thirty minutes of dusk of or dawn is considered sufficient.

Place of Burial

The deceased is contained within a heavy stone sarcophagus so that it sinks, depositing the dead on the bottom of the lagoon. The poor who cannot afford a stone sarcophagus either are buried in a wooden coffin on the mainland. Some religions administer cremation for their observers, but Incarnandists, most adherents of the Old Religion, and Imzaamis observe inhumation in Throvy. In Aurice, of course, the preferred method is burial in a stone sarcophagus in the lagoon.

Undersea Cemetery

There’s an undersea cemetery that is laid out in sections—some nobles even have undersea family mausoleums that peak above the waves. This specific area is designated with buoys so ships do not disturb it.

Gold Dust

Gold dust is sprinkled at burial to pay the right spirits to guide the deceased to the afterlife. Gold dust is used, rather than golden coins, to deter would-be thieves and because only a little is needed. But the rich use large amounts.

Procession

A procession of boats leads & follows the funeral barge

Dress Colors

Black is typically the color of dress for a funeral-goer. Black conveys sobriety and serious mindedness. It is not a matter of morbidity. Blue is traditional for the funeral of a priest. At the death of Grand Duchess Mekarna, the women of Aurice wore blue.

Deceased is non-priest or primarily noted for a profession other than priesthood

• Non-Priest Mourner wears Black
• Priest Mourner wears Black or priestly vestments

Deceased is priest

• Non-Priest Mourner wears Blue or at least a color other than black.
• Priest Mourner wears White or priestly vestments

Wearing black to a priest’s funeral is considered an offense against the gods, particularly the priest’s god as it suggests you do not approve of the god taking home his own.

See Also

• Aurice
• Goscundy