Humanities Religion & Spirituality A Pagan Blessing for the Dead Share Flipboard Email Print Tim Robberts Religion & Spirituality Paganism / Wicca Rituals & Ceremonies Basics Sabbats & Holidays Gods & Goddesses Dreams & Meditation Divination Herbalism Wiccan Traditions Resources for Parents Christianity Catholicism Islam Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Latter-Day Saints Taoism Alternative Religion Angels & Miracles Sikhism Holistic Healing Astrology Atheism & Agnosticism View More by Patti Wigington Updated March 18, 2017 Choose four participants. One carries a rock, representing the earth, and stands to the North. One carries a feather, representing Air, and stands to the East. Another stands to the South, carrying a candle or some incense to represent Fire. A fourth can hold a cup of Water to the West -- if you're fortunate enough to hold your ritual near an ocean or river, use that to represent Water. On your altar, in the center of the circle, place a picture or some other memento of the person you are saying goodbye to. Form a circle, and call upon the elements. Invite the powers of the four directions to come watch over you. Stand in the center and say:Take me now, take me nowfor to face the Summerlands*.By the earth and wind and the fire and rainI'm on my way,remember me.Turn to the North and say:Take me now back to the earthfrom which we spring and then return.I shall cross over, now it is my turn.I am not afraid Remember me.Repeat this verse, turning to each of the four directions. Substitute the different elements where appropriate.Finally, touch each family member with your athame as you say the following:Blood of my bloodBone of my boneFlesh of my fleshKeep my soul aliveI will live onWithin your heartsI am not afraidRemember meIf you have ashes for the deceased, you may wish to scatter them at this time. Take a moment to reflect on the good memories you have of your departed friend or family member. *If your particular tradition believes we go to some other place after death, feel free to substitute the appropriate place name for "Summerlands." If you're not sure where we end up, you can simply say "the other side." citecite this article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Wigington, Patti. "A Pagan Blessing for the Dead." ThoughtCo, Apr. 29, 2014, thoughtco.com/pagan-blessing-for-the-dead-2562841. Wigington, Patti. (2014, April 29). A Pagan Blessing for the Dead. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/pagan-blessing-for-the-dead-2562841 Wigington, Patti. "A Pagan Blessing for the Dead." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/pagan-blessing-for-the-dead-2562841 (accessed April 24, 2018). copy citation Continue Reading