Author: Viking Memorials Team
When a loved one prepares to cross the veil, or when we gather to bid them a final farewell, we often search for words that carry the weight of a storm and the comfort of a hearth.
In the modern Viking revival (and the broader Asatru/Heathen community), death is not viewed with fear, but as a transition. It is the final voyage. Whether you are looking for the cinematic power of Hollywood's most famous Viking prayer or the quiet, historical wisdom of the Hávamál, this guide collects the most poignant Norse verses for honoring the dying and the dead.
1. The "Valhalla Prayer" (The 13th Warrior)
Best For: A powerful, cinematic eulogy that everyone recognizes.
If you have searched for "Viking Funeral Prayer," you have likely found this verse. Popularized by the 1999 film The 13th Warrior (and later God of War), it is the most famous Viking prayer in the English language.
While often attributed to ancient sources, it is actually a Hollywood adaptation of a historical account by Ahmad ibn Fadlan, a 10th-century Arab traveler who witnessed a funeral of the Rus people on the Volga River. In his account, these words were spoken by a slave girl before her ritual death; the movie repurposed them into a warrior's mantra. Despite its Hollywood polish, it remains a deeply moving declaration of lineage and courage.
"Lo, there do I see my father. Lo, there do I see my mother, and my sisters, and my brothers. 1 Lo, there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning. 2 Lo, they do call to me. 3 They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla, Where the brave may live forever."
2. The Historical Truth: Hávamál Stanza 77
Best For: Those seeking historical authenticity and a focus on legacy.
For the historical Vikings, immortality was not just about an afterlife in Valhalla; it was about the legacy you left behind. The Hávamál (Sayings of the High One), attributed to Odin himself, contains a verse that perfectly encapsulates the Norse view of death. It does not promise golden halls, but it promises that a life well-lived is never forgotten.
"Cattle die, kinsmen die, You yourself will also die; but one thing I know that never dies: The reputation of each dead man." (Hávamál, Stanza 77)
Modern Usage: This is often recited at the graveside or during the scattering of ashes as a reminder that as long as we speak the name of the deceased, they are not truly gone.
3. A Modern Heathen Prayer: "Hail the Traveler"
Best For: A respectful, spiritual committal service.
If you are conducting a ceremony and need a prayer that specifically addresses the transition of the soul, this modern prayer is widely used in the Heathen community. It acknowledges the journey and the peace that follows the struggle of life.
"Hail the Traveler! We commit you back from where you came, to the arms of your ancestors. May there be peace where there was anger. May there be healing where there was hurt. Go quickly to the place that your old ones called home. Hail the Traveler. We celebrate your journey."
4. The Farewell Toast (The Sumbl)
In Norse tradition, words were often sealed with ale or mead. A "Viking Funeral" is rarely complete without a toast.
The Ritual:
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Fill a ceremonial horn or cup (like our Kinship Toast set) with mead, ale, or cider.
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The leader raises the horn and speaks the name of the deceased.
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"To [Name], who was a [father/warrior/friend]. We drink to your memory."
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Pour a small libation onto the earth (or into the water if conducting a boat burial) for the land spirits, and pass the horn for others to drink.
Which Words Should You Choose?
There is no "wrong" way to grieve. If the cinematic prayer brings you strength, use it. If the stoic realism of the Hávamál speaks to your loved one's character, let that be their final lesson. The goal of a Viking send-off is to ensure the traveler does not leave this world in silence, but with the roar of love and memory at their back.