Santa Muerte Death Magick: Prayers and Rituals From Where Life Meets Death
Digital Web Book by Arnold Bustillo
Buy the paperback at https://amzn.to/3BIeTTq
Digital Web Book by Arnold Bustillo
Buy the paperback at https://amzn.to/3BIeTTq
Memorial / Funeral for a Santa Muerte Devotee
Primary Use
A ritual to honor and remember the life of a Santa Muerte devotee.
You Will Need
Important Notes
The remains of the deceased, if available, would be placed at the front of an audience of invited guests. The person leading this ritual - the Leader - would be positioned beside the remains facing the guests. If no remains are available, then a photo or photos of the deceased should stand in their place. If photos are not available, then items that represent the deceased may stand in place.
A small table or other platform placed near the remains can be positioned to safely hold the candle and burn plate. A depiction of Santa Muerte can be placed on this platform as well. If the deceased kept a Santa Muerte altar before their passing, then the depiction used here could be a personal altar piece.
The Ritual
The ritual can begin when all guests have arrived and taken their seats. To mark the beginning of the ritual, the Leader lights the candle on the burn plate. The Leader then faces the audience of guests and prays:
"Santa Muerte, Holy Death,
One of yours is laid to rest.
Now we gather in this place,
Now this life we celebrate."
Opening Remarks
Next, the Leader may make opening remarks, explaining the significance of death in the life of a Santa Muerte devotee. These may be original remarks or a recitation of the words that follow:
"The Santa Muerte is death itself, and she loves us all. We know she loves us all, because she will come for us all, just as she has come for the departed that we are here to celebrate, NAME OF DECEASED.
Death is a fact of life. It is not to be feared, but accepted. When a person chooses to become a devotee of the Santa Muerte, they make the conscious decision to accept their own mortality. For it is only when mortality is accepted that even the smallest and most mundane events in our lives can become beautiful and sweet."
Summary of Life
Distilling an entire life into a few short words is never easy, but at this point in the ritual, the Leader can read a prepared summary of the deceased's life. The Leader can share facts of the deceased, like where they were born and where they lived, personal details of the deceased, like their passions and hobbies, and interesting facts of the deceased, like their major accomplishments.
Audience Sharing
At this point, the audience is invited to share personal stories about the deceased. Anything from funny stories to life lessons can be shared. If the Leader is a close family member or friend, it would be appropriate for the Leader to share the first story, then invite members of the audience to do the same. This is a portion of the ritual which does not need to be rushed.
Moment of Silence
When everyone in the audience has had the opportunity to share their personal stories about the deceased, the Leader should now call for a moment of silence to last about three minutes. This period can be introduced with the following words from the Leader:
"At this point I would like to ask for a moment of silence to honor and remember NAME OF DECEASED. Please take this time to reflect internally on anything that you may like. The silence will last for three minutes, and will begin now."
At the end of the moment of silence, the Leader can announce:
"Thank you for participating in the moment of silence."
Removal of Remains
After the moment of silence, the remains of the deceased, if present, may be removed from view. If a casket is present it can be moved into a hearse for delivery to the burial plot. If an urn is present, it can be handed to whoever has been appointed to receive it.
After the removal or transfer of remains, or if no remains are present, then the Leader can announce something like:
"At this time we have arrived at the end of this Celebration of Life.
Thank you all for being here."
The Leader may now extinguish the candle. If any music has been selected for this occasion, then it can be played now.
Final Placement of Remains
If an internment of remains or scattering of ashes is to immediately follow this ritual, then guests in attendance may be invited to follow the remains to the location of internment or scattering of the ashes. Guests should be made aware of final placement plans before the day of the ceremony, so they can decide whether or not they would like to attend. A final placement of remains may or may not occur on the same day as this Celebration of Life, as some loved ones may choose to bury, entomb, or scatter the remains far from where this ritual takes place.
At the site where the remains will be laid to rest or scattered, once everyone has gathered, the Leader can announce something like:
"We are gathered here to lay the physical remains of NAME OF DECEASED to rest. You are invited to reflect on their life, deeds, accomplishments, or you can repeat along with me as I pray.”
The Leader may recite the following prayer, as many times as is needed, as the remains are covered in Earth, sealed in place, or scattered:
"Santa Muerte, Holy Death,
one of yours is laid to rest.
Bless those here gathered today,
Bless us all in your good name."
Once the remains are covered with Earth, sealed in place, or completely scattered, the Leader may then thank the guests for attending and declare the placement of remains complete. This can be accomplished with original remarks, or a recitation of the words that follow:
"I would like to thank everybody for being in attendance today.
May the Santa Muerte bless us all."
A ritual to honor and remember the life of a Santa Muerte devotee.
You Will Need
- 1 Offering Candle - to welcome the energy of the Santa Muerte, who cuts the thread of life, and who comes for us all. Feel free to use any color candle. Black would be associated with the traditional image of Santa Muerte in her form of grim reaper, and to represent the finality of death. White can represent the peace and rest which the deceased is now free to enjoy. Red would represent love for the deceased. Brown would represent the carrying of the messages shared in this ceremony to the Land of the Dead. If the deceased had a favorite color, or a patron aspect of Santa Muerte, then that color may be used. If performing this ritual outdoors, then an electric candle may be used.
- 1 Burn Plate or Bowl - to hold the candle as it burns.
Important Notes
The remains of the deceased, if available, would be placed at the front of an audience of invited guests. The person leading this ritual - the Leader - would be positioned beside the remains facing the guests. If no remains are available, then a photo or photos of the deceased should stand in their place. If photos are not available, then items that represent the deceased may stand in place.
A small table or other platform placed near the remains can be positioned to safely hold the candle and burn plate. A depiction of Santa Muerte can be placed on this platform as well. If the deceased kept a Santa Muerte altar before their passing, then the depiction used here could be a personal altar piece.
The Ritual
The ritual can begin when all guests have arrived and taken their seats. To mark the beginning of the ritual, the Leader lights the candle on the burn plate. The Leader then faces the audience of guests and prays:
"Santa Muerte, Holy Death,
One of yours is laid to rest.
Now we gather in this place,
Now this life we celebrate."
Opening Remarks
Next, the Leader may make opening remarks, explaining the significance of death in the life of a Santa Muerte devotee. These may be original remarks or a recitation of the words that follow:
"The Santa Muerte is death itself, and she loves us all. We know she loves us all, because she will come for us all, just as she has come for the departed that we are here to celebrate, NAME OF DECEASED.
Death is a fact of life. It is not to be feared, but accepted. When a person chooses to become a devotee of the Santa Muerte, they make the conscious decision to accept their own mortality. For it is only when mortality is accepted that even the smallest and most mundane events in our lives can become beautiful and sweet."
Summary of Life
Distilling an entire life into a few short words is never easy, but at this point in the ritual, the Leader can read a prepared summary of the deceased's life. The Leader can share facts of the deceased, like where they were born and where they lived, personal details of the deceased, like their passions and hobbies, and interesting facts of the deceased, like their major accomplishments.
Audience Sharing
At this point, the audience is invited to share personal stories about the deceased. Anything from funny stories to life lessons can be shared. If the Leader is a close family member or friend, it would be appropriate for the Leader to share the first story, then invite members of the audience to do the same. This is a portion of the ritual which does not need to be rushed.
Moment of Silence
When everyone in the audience has had the opportunity to share their personal stories about the deceased, the Leader should now call for a moment of silence to last about three minutes. This period can be introduced with the following words from the Leader:
"At this point I would like to ask for a moment of silence to honor and remember NAME OF DECEASED. Please take this time to reflect internally on anything that you may like. The silence will last for three minutes, and will begin now."
At the end of the moment of silence, the Leader can announce:
"Thank you for participating in the moment of silence."
Removal of Remains
After the moment of silence, the remains of the deceased, if present, may be removed from view. If a casket is present it can be moved into a hearse for delivery to the burial plot. If an urn is present, it can be handed to whoever has been appointed to receive it.
After the removal or transfer of remains, or if no remains are present, then the Leader can announce something like:
"At this time we have arrived at the end of this Celebration of Life.
Thank you all for being here."
The Leader may now extinguish the candle. If any music has been selected for this occasion, then it can be played now.
Final Placement of Remains
If an internment of remains or scattering of ashes is to immediately follow this ritual, then guests in attendance may be invited to follow the remains to the location of internment or scattering of the ashes. Guests should be made aware of final placement plans before the day of the ceremony, so they can decide whether or not they would like to attend. A final placement of remains may or may not occur on the same day as this Celebration of Life, as some loved ones may choose to bury, entomb, or scatter the remains far from where this ritual takes place.
At the site where the remains will be laid to rest or scattered, once everyone has gathered, the Leader can announce something like:
"We are gathered here to lay the physical remains of NAME OF DECEASED to rest. You are invited to reflect on their life, deeds, accomplishments, or you can repeat along with me as I pray.”
The Leader may recite the following prayer, as many times as is needed, as the remains are covered in Earth, sealed in place, or scattered:
"Santa Muerte, Holy Death,
one of yours is laid to rest.
Bless those here gathered today,
Bless us all in your good name."
Once the remains are covered with Earth, sealed in place, or completely scattered, the Leader may then thank the guests for attending and declare the placement of remains complete. This can be accomplished with original remarks, or a recitation of the words that follow:
"I would like to thank everybody for being in attendance today.
May the Santa Muerte bless us all."