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THE FUNERAL RITE

The Order for Christian Funerals is divided into three parts: the Vigil Service, the Funeral Mass, and the Burial. We will discuss each of them separately. As with other rites of the Church, the Rite of Funerals offers many alternatives for the priests, ministers and family. Options are available in the selection of prayers, the readings from the Scriptures and the selection of psalms. The Church provides these choices so that the ritual can be designed as specifically as possible to fit the spiritual and emotional needs of the family and friends who will be participating. There is a great deal of flexibility involved because of pastoral concerns and even the differences in the faith expressions among family members. Your parish priest can discuss the choices available to you, and will counsel you in selecting the elements of the liturgy best suited to your desires.

LITURGICAL ELEMENTS

SILENCE:

Prayerful silence is an element important to the celebration of the funeral rites. Silence should be observed before and during the liturgies in respect for the grieving and to best participate in the Sacred Mysteries.

EASTER PASCHAL CANDLE:

The Easter candle reminds us of Christ's undying presence among us, of His victory over sin and death, and our sharing in that victory through our Baptism. It reminds us of the Easter Vigil Mass, the night when the Church awaits the Lord's Resurrection and when the new light for the living and the dead is kindled. The Easter candle should be placed prominently before the casket at both the Vigil Service and the Funeral Mass as a reminder of the promise of Christ for new life.

HOLY WATER:

Holy water reminds us of the saving water of baptism. In the rite of reception of the body at the church, its use calls to mind the deceased's baptism. In the rite of final commendation, the gesture of sprinkling may also signify farewell.

INCENSE:

Incense is used during the funeral rites as a sign of honor to the body of the deceased, which through baptism became the temple of the Holy Spirit. Incense is also used as a sign of the community's prayers for the deceased rising to the throne of God and as a sign of farewell.

THE PALL:

The pall is a reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased, the pall is a sign of the Christian dignity of the person. The use of the pall signifies we are all equal in the eyes of God (Jms 2: 1-9)

THE CROSS:

A cross is placed on the coffin as a reminder that the Chris

tian is marked by the cross in baptism and through Jesus' suffering on the cross is brought to the victory of His Resurrection.

FLOWERS:

In moderation may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the Funeral Rite as a sign of the new and eternal Spring that we shall live with Christ in our Heavenly home.

VESTMENTS:

The color of the Funeral Rites should express Christian hope, but never should be offensive to our grief or sorrow. While white is the norm now in most parishes, violet or black vestments may be worn.
 
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