I recently lost a friend who was a Norseman and I thought it wise to learn the Norse Prayer for the dead so I could use it as a tribute to him and also as a way to honor the deceased.
I learned a lot about the Vikings’ (Norse) beliefs and traditions during this short time, and I am so delighted to share them on this page with you.
The Norse Funeral Prayer for the Dead is actually a beautiful tribute to honor those who have died. In the prayer, the deceased sees his family and the people dear to him in Valhalla (The city of the brave). Below is the Norse prayer for the dead, which is also known as the Vikings’ prayer for the dead.
A Norse Funeral Prayer for the Dead
“Lo, there do I see my father.
Lo, there do I see my mother,
and my sisters, and my brothers.
Lo, there do I see the line of my people,
Back to the beginning!
Lo, they do call to me.
They bid me take my place among them,
In the halls of Valhalla!
Where the brave may live forever!”
The prayer above celebrates the life of the deceased Norseman or Woman. It also reflects the religious belief of the Norsemen, as well as, their love for their family and life.
Other Norse Prayers for the Dead
While the prayer above is the main Vikings’ (Norse) funeral Prayer for the dead, there’re still other prayers and you can find some of them below.
Hail to the Day
Hail to the sons of Day
Hail to the Night and daughters of the Night
Hail the shining Aesir
Hail the mighty Vanir
and hail to the Earth who gives to all
Hail to the Huldefolk
Hail to the Landvettir
and hail to you, our BLESSED DEAD
Stand with us if you would
Smile on us if you will
may peace be between us, for all time
Prayer to Hel (The Norse Goddess) to Assist Someone in the Afterlife
Hel, great goddess, daughter of Loki,
guardian of the spirits of the dead.
Our friend (Put Name) has come to you now.
As (Put Name) kneels before you, Hel,
know how much (he/she) was loved in this life
and how many (he/she) loved in return.
Before (he/she) crossed over (he/she) was an honorable soul,
a soaring spirit, a brave warrior.
Hel, watch over (him/her) as (he/she) crosses the bridge
from this life to the next
and welcome (him/her) with honor and glory
so that (he/she) may live on forever
in our hearts and memories.
Norse Prayer I was Inspired to Write Myself
May our Giantess Earth Mother, Jord
Accept your body with compassion
May Sunna, the radiant Sun
remind everyone of your authentic light
and help you see in all realms
May your passions be embodied by Freyja
May Baldr reflect your brilliance and beauty
anchor the teaching of resurrection and rebirth
May Bragi, the god of poetry sing your praises
May Thor guard you on your travels in all realms
May Frigg unlock the door to Divine mysteries
Whenever we pass a body of water
May we see the reflection of your face
In Mimir’s Well
The Well of Wisdom
All Hail “name”!
Received by the gods
Missed and loved by us humans
Forever an ancestor
And seated among the gods
Finally, in addition to praying for the deceased, you can also express your respect and commemoration of the deceased by customizing EnamelPins for the deceased.