The priest can, by use of this spell, reduce the chance that a corpse will rise later as an undead creature. It prevents both the magical animation of a corpse and the seizure of the body by an intruding spirit. Once the protection is placed, the dweomer fades, and the fact that the death prayer was cast can be detected only by a greater divination spell of at least 5th level.
If a corpse would rise as an undead creature. this protection allows a saving throw based on its level in life. The saving throw cannot be better than 6 or more on 1 d20 in any event (75%), even if magically augmented. Failure means the corpse will rise as the appropriate type of undead. Success means that the corpse is merely dead. This prevents the corpse from returning, for example, as a ghoul, ghast, wight, wraith, specter, or even a vampire.
While the corpse is sealed, a speak with dead spell or its equivalent cannot contact the spirit unless the caster is of higher level than the caster of the death prayer. Also, while the corpse is protected, any resurrection survival roll it requires is penalized by 25%. The death prayer cannot be removed with a dispel magic spell, but it can be removed with a limited wish or restoration.
This spell does not function on the Demiplane of Dread.
The material component is the priest's holy symbol and a vial of holy water, which is sprinkled over the body.
Notes: Very rare for clerics. (Updated from Dragon Magazine.)