Why Do Jedi Burn Their Dead?

In the Star Wars universe, much like our own, death is inevitable. In fact, one might even say death is even more prevalent in the Star Wars world.

The Jedi, being perhaps the closest to humans in the franchise, follow some of the same practices as ours when someone passes on. Just like in real life, with most deaths, there is to be a funeral.

However, Jedi Funerals are a bit different. 

Of course, after a Jedi died and had been cremated, a Jedi funeral ensued. There are some rare exceptions to this rule.

The first is when they are in the heat of battle. In this case, the deceased comrades are left out to face the extreme environmental elements.

Then there is the extremely rare case where the Jedi can use a technique to preserve their identity after death. This leads to them physically vanishing after death. 

Even with all the capabilities they possess, cremation is always the go-to post-death practice for the Jedi. But why exactly do they burn the bodies of their dead? 

Keep reading as we go deeper into an explanation of the Jedi death practices. 

Why Do They Burn the Jedi Bodies After Death? 

There are many speculations amongst the Star Wars fandom as to why the Jedi cremate their dead. The common theme seems to be that this practice is a ritual of some sort.

It has spiritual ties. Other than spiritual reasons, it makes sense that the Jedi would choose cremation as their preferred method of saying goodbye to their fellow Jedi.

The Jedi aren’t usually a one-planet bunch. Since they’re so mobile, it is perfectly applicable that they would choose to burn their dead as opposed to burying them. 

Cremation would allow the Jedi to burn their dead, and they would then be left with their ashes. The ashes can then go with the Jedi wherever they please.

They can even choose to scatter them somewhere sentimental, had they been allowed to have such strong feelings towards another being.

Whereas with burials a stable location is most times picked. Then the loved ones of the deceased are able to visit the site repeatedly and get closure. 

As is known in the Star Wars universe, the Jedi have to be completely devoid of strong emotions. Emotions such as love, anger, and sadness.

These emotions are needed for burial to make sense. The Jedi are more about efficiency, and this is where cremation comes in. 

How Do Jedi Become Force Ghosts?

Although the Jedi aren’t inherently immortal, a Force ghost is a state of immortality for the Jedi. After a Jedi passes on, their consciousness is maintained despite the disappearance of their physical bodies.

These Jedi are then able to become one with the Force. This allows for the select Jedi who possess this ability to create a rendition of themselves when they were alive and communicate with the living.

But how exactly does one become a Force ghost?

Well, initially, the ability to become a Force ghost was granted to the noblest of the Jedi. The ones who died in on one final act of selflessness.

Of course, just like with anything else, others worked on replicating this ability and were fairly successful. Some of the Sith Lords were able to replicate a similar technique that allowed them to interact with the Force and the surrounding environment.

This allowed them to interact with both living and deceased Force users. 

Did Qui-Gon Become a Force Ghost?

Qui-Gon Jinn was the first Jedi to prove that not all Jedi become Force ghosts after their death. This is especially evident in the fact that his body did not disappear upon his death.

Due to the lack of his disappearance, many Star Wars fans rightfully assumed that he would be the first one to not join his comrades in becoming a Force ghost.

However, Qui-Gon slowly made his post-death appearance when he showed up as a guiding voice to Anakin Skywalker. 

Qui-Gon was an anomaly in all the Star Wars fandom knew about Force ghosts and how that status was attained. He made his debut as the first G–canon to become a Force ghost in Revenge of the Sith.

An ability that he learned after he had already died, and his body did not disappear. This showed beyond doubt that it is a possibility to learn the Force ghost skills after a Jedi had already passed. 

Conclusion

The Jedi have always been an interesting group in the Star Wars franchise, and the more that is learned about them, the more amazing they seem.

They are majorly focused on keeping their minds completely clear of any strong emotion so as to avoid giving it more power than it should. That power has always been thought of as the thing that would lead them to the dark side of the Force, and ultimately their downfall. 

Thus, in an effort to avoid falling prey to their emotions, the Jedi focus on efficiency and nothing too emotional. This is why they end up burning their dead.

Not only that, this dedication to efficiency is one of the major factors that allow for Jedi to become Force ghosts. The compassion they have to possess without having excessive emotions allow for them to perform the selfless act needed to transform at death.

In the rare case of Qui-Gon Jinn, it is not exactly known what he did to become a Force ghost after death. Although the exact details are unknown, he did allow for the Star Wars fandom to see that there is another way to access the status of Force ghost. 

Whether it be for ritualistic purposes, or for some other reason, the Jedi’s post-death traditions are fascinating to say the least.