RITE OF THE DEAD*
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    When one has passed on, the body should be shrouded
naked in white cloth.  If the body is to be cremated, put the
ashes in a white urn.  Burn white or black candles at the
foot and head of the body, and burn saffron or asafoetida
incense.  Everyone should dress in black.
     Call the elements in any way that you feel is
comfortable, and when that is done, summon the God of the
dying harvest, and the Crone.
     The Priestess says to the people:
 
                    "YOU WOULD KNOW THE SECRET OF DEATH.
                    BUT HOW SHALL YOU FIND IT UNLESS YOU
                    SEEK IT IN THE HEART OF LIFE?
                    THE OWL WHOSE NIGHT-BOUND EYES ARE
                    BLIND UNTO THE DAY CANNOT UNVEIL THE
                    MYSTERY OF LIGHT.
                    IF YOU WOULD INDEED BEHOLD THE SPIRIT
                    OF DEATH, OPEN YOUR HEART WIDE UNTO THE
                    BODY OF LIFE.
                    FOR LIFE AND DEATH ARE ONE,
                    EVEN AS THE RIVER AND THE SEA ARE ONE."
 
     The Priest then says:
 
                    "FOR WHAT IS TO DIE BUT TO STAND NAKED
                    IN THE WIND AND TO MELT INTO THE SUN?
                    AND WHAT IS IT TO CEASE BREATHING
                    BUT TO FREE THE BREATH FROM IT'S
                    RESTLESS TIDES,
                    THAT IT MAY RISE AND EXPAND AND SEEK
                    GODDESS AND GOD UNENCUMBERED?"
 
     All sit and console the bereaved.  Food may be exchanged
if appropriate.