Last Rites
Description:
We create Ripples that branch in ways unseen, some persisting long after we’re gone. We may never be aware of them in life, and therefore, have no ability to alter their trajectory, that is, with one exception. To whatever degree possible, intentionally shaping the Ripple created by our death is worth consideration, no matter our framework. With proper planning and support, we can craft a Ripple beneficial to both those we value and love in life, but also, ourselves in the beyond-life. This is our final opportunity to express Power, Love, or both.
For Love, a funeral can provide survivors a time and place to mourn the loss. Love promotes participation through conscious, intentional vulnerability, helping those affected eventually move forward. By processing grief in the company of others, the void left by the departed might be mended through community, softening the wound’s edges. As for the deceased in the Concert Hall, they will come to know the grief suffered by the living, a loss that clarifies the depth of connection they’d shared in life. Loss and reunion are simply not possible in the Hall, and there’s no other way to experience these stark points of view except in life, which, for many, is what makes the Novel Universe so meaningful.
For Power, funerals are a moment to raise the dead in glory, to make known their great value, to illuminate the cost of their absence– “nothing will be the same without them,” and as long as it’s all about them, they’ll know all about it. Power’s funeral creates profit for both the living and dead– like sacrifices to the “gods” of old, valuable Ripples (novelty) are forged and enjoyed by the living throughout the funeral service, while consumed by the deceased in their Spiral. For example, should the deceased had been known to drink to excess, instead of pouring their favorite liquor onto their grave or leaving behind the offering of a special bottle, gift the deceased one last historic binge from the funeral goers’ POV– buy plenty of their favorite libations to get drunk with the deceased’s close-nit friends and family, and reminisce, retelling the great and glorious stories of the deceased until everyone passes out, just as they had so often done in life.
From either framework, the dead experience every moment of remembrance, knowing the tears shed, jokes told, stories exaggerated– after all, they’re the source of the memories, the rock that forms the Ripples. Although the dead aren’t actually present at these services or in those reminiscences, in the Hall or Spiral, they might receive the fullness of their funeral Ripples, ideally having been crafted as much for the living as the dead.
Cult Bodies that prescribe specific death rites or ceremonies may only recommend them, as members may decide to deviate from or disregard them altogether– after all, it’s their body, and it will be respected to the end. Before we are Freemen, Citizens, or Civilians of the Novel Universe Cult, we are all Wanderers– Spirals, universes unto ourselves. Therefore, when the living attempt to countermand the dead, the River intervenes to fulfill the dead member’s wishes to the best of the Sages’ abilities, with or without the participation of the Body(s) to which the member belonged.
Beyond what we directly leave to the world– our work, family, thoughts, ideas, etc.– the moment of our death sets in motion our last, co-created Ripple. For Citizens, this is a final opportunity to share Love; for Freemen, Power; and for Wanderers, the wisdom of their unique perspective. Do we even have a funeral, are we cremated, buried, embalmed? The Novel Universe Cult leaves the entire process up to the individual, albeit, with the following suggestions for Love and Power. The Novel Universe Model sees neither a “correct” way to dispose of one’s body after death, nor process of mourning / celebration. However, no matter what is chosen, Ripples will be created, and it is those Ripples that must be considered in light of the individual’s personal and societal relationships.
Rock-Specific Practices:
Rock Bodies may create for themselves any Sage-approved death ritual / ceremony they wish, as long as it’s permissible under State law.
Upon the passing of a Freeman, if permissible by the Body, a Sage is assigned as the Death Sage to oversee the event.
Members are encouraged to highlight the value or Power of the deceased’s contributions to the Body as part of any ceremony.
Recreating the deceased’s favorite activities are a valuable way to provide them further preferential Ripples in their Spiral.
If no other rituals or ceremonies are proposed, it’s recommended that Freemen engage in “The Silencing,” a ritual that reflects the solitude of the deceased entering their Spiral upon death. The “Silenced”– individuals (family /friends) affected heavily by the death– set out on a silent trek (mountain / desert / jungle / etc.), accompanied by a Sage, preferably the Death Sage. People not immediately influenced by the death may also join the journey, though they are expected to keep a respectful distance. The Silenced may discuss their grief with the Sage as much as they feel necessary, and lingering followers may engage in their own, separate discussions, but a key aspect of this journey is engaging a long period of silence.
Water-Specific Practices:
Water Bodies who wish to deviate from the prescribed funeral ceremony may create for themselves a Sage-approved ritual or ceremony, as long as it’s permissible under State law.
Upon the passing of a Citizen, if permissible by the Body, a Sage will be assigned as the Usher Sage to oversee the event.
As soon as is practical, a funeral or other ritual is set to take place in the Funeral Sphere. Should the Citizen belong to multiple Spheres, the Family Sphere is given priority, otherwise members of the Community’s Spheres work with the Usher Sage to select a Sphere to host the funeral.
The Usher Sage assigns certain family members and / or intimate Sphere members of the deceased as official Mourners. Mourners are excused from their duties or responsibilities to their Spheres and Communities for the duration of the event in order to mourn the deceased. Exceptions may be made for members to mourn beyond the event with Sage-approval, but will not last more than eleven months.
Within the Mourning Sphere, a “Home” is chosen to host the Mourners, preferably the residence of the deceased, and remains open to all Citizens of the Mourning Sphere’s Community throughout the process.
The Home consists of two parts: a public area for visitors and Mourners to mingle, and a private area for the Mourners to rest / sleep.
From the day of the member’s passing until the funeral, Citizens of the Funeral Sphere host the Mourners at Home. Food and drink is provided by the Funeral Sphere throughout the period, while any visiting Citizens wishing to contribute food, drink, or any other items may do so through the Usher Sage.
Extended family, Citizens of the Community, and other Funeral Sphere members are encouraged to sit with the Mourners, who may remain in silence, or, if they so choose to speak, will lead discussions, and may engage any topic they wish. Visiting members are encouraged to listen and grieve with the Mourners, resisting any urge to co-opt the discussions, remembering that they are there to support the Mourners in their grief. This time frame reflects the solitude of the deceased entering their Spiral upon death. For the Mourners, it’s also designed to both allow for reflection upon the deceased’s life, but also, to sink deep into their grief, fully experiencing the loss, while surrounded by loved ones.
The funeral takes place in a “Concert Hall,” a beautifully decorated reflection of the deceased, designed to celebrate their life in the Novel Universe, ideally with their favorite music playing.
The itinerary of the event is created / directed by the Usher Sage with input from the Mourners.
During the event, the Usher Sage is encouraged to highlight the deceased’s contributions to the Sphere(s) / Community(s) to which the deceased belonged.
For one tzolk’in (13 days) following the funeral, Mourners are encouraged to remain at Home. Similar to the period before the funeral, visitors come and go; however, during this period, the visitors lead the discussions, and any Mourner who wishes to help with the activities of daily living, such as housework, cooking, gardening, etc. are encouraged (not required) to do so. Ideally, the activities the Mourners participate in should reflect those shared between the deceased and Mourners– a direct avenue to engage the memories of the deceased, while sparking the process of healing in the company of the living. Through sharing in these activities, this period of time is designed to pull the Mourners from the darkness of their despair and grief into the light of the Community, and, hopefully, by returning to daily life, the Mourners will no longer be unduly haunted by the loss.
Upon the day following the end of the tzolk’in, a party is held at Home to close out the grieving process. For those Mourners whose grief is still too raw, they may be excused from the event. This party is designed to both celebrate the deceased’s joyful entry into the Concert Hall, but also the Mourners’ joy once they, too, reunite with the deceased in the Hall.
The Usher Sage will work with those Mourners especially grieved by the loss to continue the process of healing, and assign a longer-term Healing Sage(s) to work with those who are struggling to overcome their grief.
Following the funerary period, the personal items and dwelling(s) of the deceased will be redistributed by the end of the following month. Mourners will be given priority to decide where the deceased’s belonging should go, but ultimately, will be subject to the Usher Sage’s approval. For disputed items, the Body(s) the deceased belonged to will determine the distribution neural-democratically. Exceptions to the distribution’s time-frame may be made with Sage-approval, but will not exceed eleven months. In this way, by the start of the year following the passing, the Community(s) will have moved on, retaining those sites of mourning, yet limiting those triggers of memory to those sites. In this way, those deeply affected by the loss will be given time to process their grief, but will not keep the deceased’s belongings needlessly unoccupied.
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