Viking burials: The surprising ways the Norse honored their dead

Most Vikings were sent to the afterlife in one of two ways—cremation or burial.

Cremation (often upon a funeral pyre) was particularly common among the earliest Vikings, who were fiercely pagan and believed the fire’s smoke would help carry the deceased to their afterlife.

Once cremated, the remains also might be buried, usually in an urn. 

Burial was another option, especially for wealthy or influential Vikings who could afford elaborate graves.

The deceased were typically buried with their possessions, such as weapons, tools, jewelry, food and drink.

Sometimes they were buried in wooden chambers, wagons or even boats or ships.

These graves were often marked by stones or mounds, sometimes in the shape of ships. 

The choice of cremation or burial depended on several factors, such as the region, the period, the personal preference of the deceased or their family, and the availability of resources.

For example, wood was scarce in some areas, making cremation more difficult.

Cremation also became less popular after the conversion to Christianity, which discouraged the practice. 

The Vikings believed in a complex and varied afterlife, where different realms awaited different kinds of people.

The most famous of these realms was Valhalla, the hall of Odin, where warriors who died bravely in battle would feast and fight until the end of days.

Another realm was Folkvangr, the field of Freyja, where half of the fallen warriors would go, while the other half went to Valhalla.

Freyja was also the goddess of love and fertility, so her realm was a place of joy and beauty.  

Other realms were less desirable, such as Helheim, the domain of Hel, the goddess of death.

This was a cold and dark place where those who died of old age, sickness or dishonor would go.

Niflheim was another gloomy realm of ice and mist, where the dragon Nidhogg gnawed on the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree.

Some sources also mention a realm called Gimle, a paradise for the righteous and virtuous. 

The Vikings also believed in reincarnation, or at least the possibility of it. Some graves contained objects that were meant to help the deceased in their next life, such as coins or runes.

Some names also indicated a belief in rebirth, such as Ragnar (meaning "reborn army") or Ingibjorg (meaning "protected by Ing", a god associated with fertility). 

One of the most distinctive features of Viking burials is the presence of grave goods, or objects that were buried with the deceased.

These goods not only symbolized status, but also represented key moments or successes within the individual's life.

Specific quantities of weapons like arrows could signify the extent of one's military prowess. 

The amount and type of grave goods varied depending on the social group and gender of the deceased.

A free man was usually given weapons and equipment for riding. An artisan, such as a blacksmith, could receive his entire set of tools.

Women were provided with their jewelry and often with tools for female and household activities.

The most sumptuous Viking funeral discovered so far is the Oseberg Ship burial, which was for a woman (probably a queen or a priestess) who lived in the 9th century. 

Some grave goods had a religious or magical significance, such as amulets or talismans that could protect the deceased from evil spirits or grant them favor with the gods.

For example, some graves contained miniature models of houses or ships that could symbolize a safe journey to the afterlife.

Other graves contained objects related to divination or sorcery, such as wands or runes. 

Sometimes animals or even humans were sacrificed and buried with the deceased, especially if they were close companions or servants in life.

This was done to ensure that they would accompany them to the afterlife and serve them there as well.

However, this practice was also condemned by Christian missionaries and writers who saw it as barbaric and cruel. 

Viking burials reveal a lot about their culture and worldview. They show how they honored their dead with respect and dignity, how they prepared them for their journey to the afterlife, and how they expressed their identity and achievements through their possessions.

They also show how they adapted to different circumstances and influences, such as geography, Christianity and foreign contacts.

Viking burials are a fascinating and valuable source of information for anyone interested in learning more about these remarkable people.