Pyre facts for kids
A pyre is a special pile, usually made of wood, used to burn things. The word pyre comes from the Greek word for fire. Pyres are built outdoors. A body can be placed on top of or under the pyre. Then, the pyre is set on fire.
Pyres are still used for funerals in some parts of the world. They are also used for other types of ceremonies. In these ceremonies, there is a big fire, but no body is burned. In the past, pyres were sometimes used in a very sad way to execute people by burning them.
Pyres for Funerals
Some religions, like Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist faiths, still use pyres to cremate people who have died. This way of holding a funeral is thousands of years old. However, it is not legal in many countries today.
The ancient Greeks and ancient Romans also used funeral pyres. The Vikings used them too. Viking funeral pyres were often built on boats floating in the sea.
Other Ways Pyres Are Used
People sometimes build pyres to make a large fire or bonfire for celebrations. They do not burn a real body in these cases. These types of pyres are used to celebrate or to remember a person or a special event.
Pyres are often part of Guy Fawkes Night celebrations in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries. In Denmark and Germany, people light pyres to celebrate the summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year. People also light pyres in Switzerland to celebrate their National Day.
Farmers sometimes use pyres to destroy the bodies of dead animals. They do this especially when animals have died from a disease. Burning the bodies helps stop the disease from spreading to other animals.
In the past, pyres were sometimes used to punish people. People were burned while they were still alive. Often, the person was tied to a tall wooden pole, called a stake, on top of the pyre. This terrible punishment was known as "burning at the stake". A famous person named Joan of Arc died in this way.
Pictures
Images for kids
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The tiered funeral pyre of a Burmese Buddhist Monk at Pa-Auk Village, Mon State.
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Buddhist monks procession in front of a pyre in Laos
See also
In Spanish: Pira funeraria para niños
