According to actual history, as well as the events in the History channel series, Viking warriors believe in the existence of a paradise that people go to after death. Also known as the "Great Hall," it is presided over by the god Odin. Residents of Valhalla get to enjoy days of fighting and feasting. Legend has it that wounds in the Norse paradise heal within a day.
Valhalla is probably not real but the idea of it is what made warriors fight bravely in battle. As seen in Vikings, no one is afraid to die since they know that a better life awaits them. While everyone yearns for the opportunity to enter Valhalla, not everyone qualifies. One has to live a life that meets certain conditions.
In Valhalla: Ragnar
Ragnar isn't closed-minded. After taking the priest Athelstan as a slave, he begins exploring the Christian faith. In Season 2, he asks Athelstan to teach him the Lord's prayer. Even though Ragnar sits on the fence, he is biased towards Norse beliefs. Before he dies, he has made up his mind about which god he believes in.
Ragnar fully acknowledges Odin right before King Aelle throws him into a pit of snakes, a death fans saw coming. He refuses to either atone for his sins or embrace the Christian faith, claiming Odin is waiting for him with a feast. Odin himself would definitely be proud of Ragnar's newfound sense of loyalty to him. The former Earl is definitely dining in Valhalla.
Not In Valhalla: Athelstan
The Anglo-Saxon monk gets spared when the Viking raiders attack slaughter priests from the Lindisfarne Monastery. That's because he knows Ragnar's language. Ragnar takes him as a slave and the two develop one of the most unexpected friendships in the series. Athelstan is eventually killed by Floki, who has always distrusted him ever since Ragnar took him in.
As a Christian, Athelstan doesn't fully believe in the Norse gods hence he doesn't qualify to be in Valhalla. Before Floki drives an axe into Athelstan's skull, he prays to God, meaning he is more likely to be in heaven than Valhalla.
In Valhalla: Lagertha
Lagertha has a great run as shield-maiden, Earl, and Queen before dying at the hands of a hallucinating Hvitserk, making her one of the dead characters who truly deserved more. Interestingly, there are no Norse explanations for where a victim of an accidental death goes.
Brushing the grey area aside, Lagertha meets two key conditions for entrance into Valhalla. First, she is given a proper funeral after her death. People that get a decent farewell ceremony find themselves on the expressway to Valhalla. She has also abided by Norse traditions for most of her life, recognizing Odin as the reigning god. For these reasons, she will join Ragnar.
Not In Valhalla: Gyda
Ragnar's daughter Gyda is one of the many victims of the plague that strikes Kattegat. Ragnar is deeply affected by her death, claiming he loved her more than he ever did his sons.
As adorable as Gyda is, she goes to Hel instead of Valhalla. Norse beliefs state that anyone who dies of sickness or old age doesn't get to go to Valhalla. It's the reason why an elderly warrior begged Ragnar to let him be part of his second raid to the West so that he would die in battle instead of waiting for death to come naturally.
In Valhalla: Siggy
Siggy dies while rescuing the sons of Ragnar from drowning in a collapsed frozen lake. She sees her daughter in a vision Thyri in a vision and decides to let herself go. The vision can be interpreted as Siggy being welcomed into Valhalla.
Whether Siggy's former husband Earl Haraldson is in Valhalla is up for debate. He did despicable things such as killing an innocent child. As for Siggy herself, there is no doubt. What she did right before her death, coupled with the first that she was a true believer in Norse doctrines earns her direct entry.
Not In Valhalla: Heahmund
A badass preacher that can fight, Heahmud, the Bishop of Sherborne, establishes himself as a formidable character the moment he is introduced. He lasts two seasons, dying during the Battle of Marton while facing off against King Harald's forces. Several arrows pierce his body before Gunnhild finishes him off.
If Heahmund was a Norse warrior, he'd go straight to Valhalla since he died bravely in battle. He is a staunch Christian, so this disqualifies him. An argument can be made for him not qualifying for heaven either since he enjoys drinking and having sex.
In Valhalla: Ivar
Though he is tyrannical, Ivar the Boneless is a great fighter. Just before his death, he steps in for his injured brother Hvitserk. When Hvistserk points out that Ivar's eyes are blue (hence his in danger of damaging his bones), the villainous ruler steps back and asks a young warrior to kill him.
Intentional deaths rule out a person from entering the Norse paradise but only if the specific person takes their own life. In Ivar's case, he orders a warrior to take his own life. He thus dies on the battlefield, which means an express ticket to Valhalla.
Not In Valhalla: King Horik
The King Of Denmark is subjected to a collaborative murder involving Lagertha, Ragnar, Bjorn, and Torstein. After subjecting Ragnar to one of the worst betrayals, Lagertha strikes him with her sword, Bjorn lands an axe on his back, Torstein stabs him. Ragnar finishes the job by stabbing him too with the knife that had been given to Siggy.
Horik's faithfulness towards the gods ought to make him a prime candidate for Valhalla. However, he misses out for being dishonorable. Living an honorable life is one of the conditions for entering Odin's base. Horik fails the honor test by attempting to kill Ragnar after they agree on an alliance.
In Valhalla: Bjorn Ironside
The last page on the life of Bjorn Ironside is opened when Hvitserk, Prince Oleg, and Ivar lead the Rus Army into launching an epic attack on Kattegat. In one of the most shocking moment of the final season, Ivar plunges his sword into Bjorn. Everyone thinks he is dead, but then he shows up again. This time, Rus army captain, Ganbaatar fires several arrows at him. It's over!
Bjorn's entry to Valhalla is guaranteed. Apart from dying in battle, he has an impressive personal code. He treats female slaves better compared to his fellow warriors. He also has an unshakeable code of honor, something Odin will love.
Not In Valhalla: Sigvard
Marrying Sigvard is one of the worst decisions Lagertha makes. The Earl of Hedeby's abusive tendencies end up being his downfall. After Lagertha returns from assisting Ragnar in a raid, he beats her and tries to strip her in front of guests. In reaction, Lagertha stabs Sigvard in the eye before his cousin beheads him.
There is no afterlife for an abusive man like Sigvard. His actions tie him to the dishonorable category of dead characters. In Norse mythology, Hel is also not an option for a man like him hence his soul remains inactive for eternity.