Funeral Rites
Burial practices seem to have held a high place in Celtic society. There are many different forms of burial recorded in both Irish Literature, Classical records and Archaeological evidence. Here is a list of the many different forms of burial and the general processes the Society will follow in regards to these customs.
Inhumation
The Celts famously practiced the rite of burial or Inhumation. They are shown in the archaeological record such as the La Tene tombs, where they are shown in grand displays amongst items that they held onto in life and a feast set up for them.
Because of this it is generally believed that only the Heroes and kings of the Celts were buried like this and that Cremation was the most popular method of funeral.
The Society however will offer anyone a burial if they so wish.
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Cremation
Cremation was a common method of funeral rite performed in the Celtic World. It is recorded to have occurred by Classical sources like Caesar but also in Irish history and sources. Following these records one can paint a very simple picture, that the dead were placed on funeral pyres with what they had in life, including the animals they cared for.
Caesar remarks that the Gauls had just recently stopped the burning of slaves and retainers during these funerals and no record of such a sacrifice occurs in Ireland. In addition to these sacrifices there may have been an equivalent to Sati, though as far as we are aware this has never been remarked.
The ashes were then gathered up in Urns and buried, like what is seen in the Proto-Celtic Urnfield culture. As per society regulations any funeral pyre must be lit by a Society Druid and must be void of any unclean items.
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Excarnation
Excarnation was a religious rite performed by the Celtiberian tribes of the Arevaci and the Vaccaei. The following are two records from Greco-Roman sources on the practise:
'The Vaccaei insult the corpses of such as die from disease as having died a cowardly and effeminate death, and dispose of them by burning; whereas those who laid down their lives in war they regard as noble, heroic and full of valour and them they cast to the Vultures, believing this bird to be sacred"
This is record from Aelian's 'On Animals' 10:22. Linked Here
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There is further Silius Italicus who records in his poetic Punica, 3:341-343:
"The Celts were associated with Venus and the name of the Iberians.to them the honor fell in battle, and the body to be cremated of such a crime: they believe that it is referred to the heaven above, and that the unfed may fleece if it is desired that the limbs lie."
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From this evidence it can be seen that the warriors who fell in battle were allowed to excarnated while other classes may not have. It should be of course noted that the ancient Celts divided themselves by caste between the workers, the warriors and the priesthood.
As of right now, the Society does not have the space to practise excarnation. However it will likely allow those who serve in the military to be buried in this manner in the future, the exact rites however are yet to be determined.