The Coming Race · Chapter
Chapter XXIV explained
The narrator attends a funeral with Aph-Lin, witnessing the Vril-ya's unique cremation ceremony, which they treat as a cheerful 'Birth Song' celebrating the deceased's transition to a happier world.
What happens
The narrator attends a funeral with Aph-Lin, witnessing the Vril-ya's unique cremation ceremony, which they treat as a cheerful 'Birth Song' celebrating the deceased's transition to a happier world. The body is placed in a machine that reduces it to dust, which is then sealed in a patera and stored in a wall recess.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Morality Without Conflict
The funeral ceremony blends religious faith with a practical, cheerful acceptance of death, emphasizing reunion with the All-Good.
Technology and Power
The cremation machine demonstrates advanced Vril-ya technology, efficiently reducing the body to dust with a simple mechanism.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Accompanies Aph-Lin to the funeral, observing and learning about Vril-ya burial customs.
- Aph-Lin
Hosts the narrator and attends the funeral of a relation, explaining the ceremony.
- Gy
Mentioned as the deceased's departed wife, seen in a dream before his death.
Key passages
“The departure of an An to a happier world... is rather a cheerful though quiet festival than a sacred ceremony”
Aph-Lin explains that death is celebrated as a joyful transition, not a solemn ritual.
Highlights the Vril-ya's positive view of death.
“Behold how great is the Maker! To this little dust He gave form and life and soul. It needs not this little dust for Him to renew form and life and soul to the beloved one we shall soon see again.”
The son declares that the Creator can restore life without the physical remains, expressing faith in reunion.
Central to the Vril-ya's religious and funerary philosophy.