Karhu

In Finnish mthology the bear was an important cult animal, believed to have come from the stars and having the ability to reincarnate. After slaying a bear, a celebration(karhunpeijaiset) was arranged to honour and placate the animal.  If the bear's soul was happy it would decide to reincarnate back into the forest. 

After consuming the meat the bones were buried, except for the skull which was believed to contain the bear's soul.

The skull was placed in the highest branches of a pine tree, in order to deliver the bear's soul back to heaven.

Interestingly, the bear was not featured in early petroglyphs like other animals. Bears may have been such holy animals that it was forbidden to depict it. Also the word bear was never mentioned in casual conversation, because it was believed the bear would appear. Euphemisms such as "karhu" ("rough" referring to the fur) were used.