Myths About Death In Scandinavian Or Norse Myth

Lastly, Scandinavian or Norse mythology is not quite as clear, nor is there as much physical evidence left behind for study. There are, however, myths about death that can be analyzed. The goddess of the underworld is Hel. She rules over the underworld, Helheim, and receives those who have died due to sickness or advanced age (Højbjerg). Hel uses such ones in her army to be put into use at Ragnarok, which is basically the end of the world. The account of Baldur is also a Norse myth about death. Baldur was the son of Odin, who died due to an act by Loki. Hel refused the release of Baldur and he is required to stay in the underworld until Ragnarok (McLeish). Alternately, the deceased could make their way to Valhalla, if they had been

In addition to the items that they would need in the afterlife, such as weapons or tools of their trade, there could also be the placement of articles created after their death that may be of use (Legends and Chronicles) as well as new clothes that would be sewn that would have been especially fine (Price). However, of greatest impact was the burial site itself and the rituals that were performed. Burial consisted of either cremation or inhumation, with inhumation taking considerably more effort to ensure it was done properly. Neil Price noted in his book Passing into Poetry: Viking-Age Mortuary Drama And The Origins Of Norse Mythology, that the burial process was so lengthy that a temporary grave would have been constructed with its own items included such as food and instruments (Price). Clearly, considerable effort was put forth to ensure that the soul of the deceased reached the underworld and the authors note of the building of a temporary burial spot shows that the deceased’s body was to be treated with the proper respect. It also coincides with Norse myth in that the soul had to make a journey and would have to have the proper preparations to ensure that it arrived. It would not be possible for the body to reach its destination if it did not

There was feasting for days that involved the entire community of the deceased (Price). All of these elements were deemed as necessary by ancient Scandinavians due to the journey of the soul to the underworld, as they believed they would be joining Hel or Odin depending on the life they had lived. For instance according to Price in Passing Into Poetry: Viking-Age Mortuary Drama And The Origins Of Norse Mythology, in order to fight in Valhalla for Odin, as the myth states that warriors are chosen to do, the deceased needed their weapons, a blacksmith needed the correct tools to continue their trade, etc. It is also of note that the Norse people believed that they could interact with the dead and that the deceased could have an effect on their lives. Therefore, some of the preparations may have been to ensure that the deceased was not able to have a negative effect on the lives of those who were still among the living. The Scandinavians thus showed similarities with the Egyptians in that the deceased needed specific items placed with them in order to succeed in the afterworld, such as their weapons or items of their craft. There also appear to be similarities considering the elaborate nature of the burial rituals, such as there being an emphasis placed on constructing a proper burial site.