3.3.5

Funeral Rites

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The Funeral Rite

Catholics believe they have a duty to bury their dead with respect and according to the rites of the Catholic Church.

Jesus' burial

Jesus' burial

  • The burial duty reflects the care taken by Jesus’ followers to give him a proper burial following his crucifixion.
    • ‘The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.’ [Luke 24: 55 - 56 NIV]
The burial process

The burial process

  • Burials are usually conducted by a priest or deacon and are attended by family and friends.
  • It is usual for the priest to wear dark (black or purple) vestments to represent sadness, but they sometimes wear white as a sign of faith in the resurrection.
  • Traditionally, dead Catholics would be buried in consecrated ground.
  • These days Catholics are allowed to be cremated in most dioceses.
Views on funeral rites

Views on funeral rites

  • The funeral rite itself is not a sacrament but it is an important part of Catholic liturgy, expressing many parts of Christian faith.
  • Although a time of sadness for the deceased person’s family, the funeral rite is an expression of faith in the resurrection of the dead.
Views on funeral rites (continued)

Views on funeral rites (continued)

  • Family and friends can pay their respects, offer prayers, and speak about the person’s life.
  • Catholics believe that those who have died await the resurrection and the day of judgement.
  • They also look forward to being reunited in heaven with their loved one. This is a source of consolation.

Before Burial or Cremation

Before burial or cremation, there's a service in the church, of prayers and sometimes a special Mass called a Requiem Mass (‘requiem’ comes from the Latin for ‘peace’).

Vigil

Vigil

  • Sometimes the deceased person is brought to the church the night before the funeral and there's a short service of prayers called a vigil.
Requiem Mass

Requiem Mass

  • If there is to be a Mass, the special funeral prayers become part of the prayers of the Mass.
    • The prayers ask for the deceased to be welcomed into heaven, and for consolation for family and friends.
Paschal candle

Paschal candle

  • Beside the coffin is the paschal candle, which was first lit at Easter and symbolises the risen Christ.
Homily

Homily

  • Usually, the priest will give a homily emphasising the Christian faith in the resurrection of the dead.
Tribute

Tribute

  • Sometimes, a family member will say some words in tribute to the person that has died.
Prayers

Prayers

  • Special prayers are said over the coffin of the deceased, which is blessed with holy water as a sign of baptism, and often incense is used as a mark of respect.
  • The final prayers in the church are prayers of committal, as the coffin is then taken either to the cemetery or the crematorium where final prayers are said.
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Funeral Rites

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of these are true of a Catholic burial?True / false
  2. 2
    Significance of the funeral rite:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    What's Mass called when it involves special funeral prayers?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What's placed beside the coffin at a Catholic funeral?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Key features of a Catholic funeral (before burial):Fill in the list
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