efterbördsskede

Efterbördsskede is a concept in Scandinavian mythology and folklore, referring to the period of time after a person's death, when their spirit is still tied to the earthly realm. During this time, the deceased person's spirit, or "önd", is believed to linger, often seeking to resolve any unfinished business or conflicts.

In Swedish and Norwegian folklore, the efterbördsskede is thought to last for a specific period, typically 40 to 100 days, during which the deceased person's spirit is said to return to the world of the living to interact with the living. It is believed that if the family and friends of the deceased person fail to provide them with a proper burial and funeral rites, the spirit may become wrathful and cause misfortune in the household.

The concept of efterbördsskede is closely tied to the ancient Scandinavian practice of honoring the dead with elaborate funerary rituals, which served to ensure the deceased person's safe passage to the afterlife. Failure to follow these customs was believed to have consequences in both the spiritual and material realms.

In contemporary times, the idea of efterbördsskede has been largely replaced by modern Christian and secular views of death and the afterlife. Nonetheless, remnants of the afterlife-oriented worldview continue to influence Scandinavian funerary and bereavement customs, reflecting a deep respect for the deceased and a recognition of the ongoing impact of death on the living. The concept of efterbördsskede remains an integral part of cultural heritage in Sweden and Norway.