Funeral Rites
Wiccans, and Pagans in general, vary widely in their views as to what happens after death. However, we tend to all agree one one thing: Death is a doorway into a new life.
Our thoughts and lack of emphasis on death is disconcerting to members of other religions, and it's often misinterpreted to mean that we don't believe in life after death. In a way, this is correct; for our emphasis is actually on life after birth.
For us, Life is represented as a circle, a form which has neither a starting nor ending point. Each quarter of the circle flows naturally into the next experience, and each turn of the circle, or wheel, brings new permutations of those experiences. In this way, we learn and grow - eternally.
The "Wheel of the Year", a Wiccan calendar of Sabbat celebrations, corresponds to how we view our lives, both on a physical level of "life, death, and rebirth," and as a metaphysical outline towards our own spiritual growth. Briefly, in keeping with the Wheel of the Year, we start life in darkness, grow to the peak of maturity, and decline until we once again greet the darkness before rebirth. Death, therefore, is not an end. It is simply a transition between births; a change of form.
Most Pagans believe in some variation of reincarnation or transmigration. Many of us Wiccans believe we cross over to "Summerland," a place of rest and peace where we are reunited with ancestors and friends who have passed before us, but have not yet traveled on. Here, we renew bonds, review our past lives, and set out lessons to experience and learn in the next life. Here, we know and understand all connections and all mysteries, and we rest in the peace and beauty of the Blessed Lady.
On a practical note, it is important for Pagans who strongly wish to have a Pagan funeral rite to make those wishes known to family and friends. However, many of us are born into Christian families, and the funeral rites (as planned by the family) will be Christian. Please remember, funerals are for the living; they are not necessarily a final statement on your lifestyle and/or beliefs. Funerals help those left behind to accept the loss of your love, friendship, and guidance, and to begin to work through the mourning stages. If a Christian funeral is important to the family for their grieving process, why deny them that? It is a simple thing to have Pagan clergy, friends, and coven hold a separate memorial service celebrating your birth into new life, and allowing themselves the right to grieve in their own way for the loss of your influence in their lives.