Baldr's Funeral

Overview

Baldr’s Funeral gives concrete form to the shock of death. Chapter 49 describes the gods placing Baldr on a ship for cremation, Nanna dying of grief, Odin laying Draupnir on the pyre, and Thor hallowing it with Mjolnir. Hermod’s mission follows from that mourning.

Relationships

• Baldrmourns

  The funeral places Baldr on a ship and gives divine grief ritual form through cremation.

• Nannadies of grief

  Nanna dies of grief at the funeral and is placed on the pyre.

• Thorhallows the pyre

  Thor hallows Baldr’s pyre with Mjolnir.

Story appearances

• Baldr's Death and Loki's PunishmentDivine mourning event

  The funeral uses ship, fire, Nanna, Draupnir and Mjolnir to give Baldr’s death ritual weight.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 49, Baldr’s funeral, Nanna’s death, Thor hallowing the pyre, Draupnir laid on it, and Hermod’s ride