Wiccan services can appear a little distressing to those unfamiliar with the Craft as they can be quite positive, but as the congregation is often kept small including immediate friends, family and members of their coven, most are used to the what might e considered to be a ‘disturbingly’ positive ceremony.
The Wiccan cycle of life is always respected and the funeral ceremony focuses always on community, empathy, compassion, and respect.
Wiccans have no reason to fear death, feeling that the recently deceased now live ‘beyond the veil’ where they appear with more clarity and ‘see better’, existing in the transparent part of the afterlife. The whole ceremony helps their spirit on their journey to “the Summerlands”, a beautiful place of transit to the afterlife where communication with their spirit is possible.
Wiccan ceremonies centre around helping the deceased in that journey and helping their loved ones heal. It is always conducted by a male and a female who chant, light candles and guide the service before communal energy helps ease the deceased’s journey into death.