What Biblical Passages Are Read at a Catholic Funeral

Catholic Funerals Guide

Etiquette & Traditions

Catholic Funerals Guide: Etiquette & Traditions

As Christians, Catholics believe in the afterlife. As such, their funerals centre upon prayers for the deceased's soul. And they typically include a mass during the Catholic funeral service.

Here'due south a guide to what y'all can expect when attending a Catholic funeral.

Are you planning a religious funeral? Go emailed a free guide.

What is a Catholic Funeral?

A Cosmic funeral is a religious service held for someone of the Catholic organized religion who has passed abroad. It serves an of import function for the survivors, who believe that the soul lives on afterwards death.

That's a belief shared by all Christians, whose religion dictates that, depending on how righteous a life you lived, your soul continues on in either Heaven or Hell. However, Catholics believe in a tertiary destination for the soul: Purgatory. Purgatory is for souls who have committed forgivable sins during their lifetime, and who may somewhen cease up in Heaven.

Therefore, to encourage such forgiveness, the Cosmic funeral is a time to appeal to God to exist merciful on the deceased person'south soul. With this in mind, you should expect in that location to be a lot of prayers said at the Catholic funeral you will be attending. There will likely be much talk of the deceased at present existence with God in Heaven, as a way to comfort those who are grieving.

A belief in purgatory is not the only factor that differentiates a Cosmic funeral from other Christian funerals. In fact, at that place are many unique Catholic funeral traditions - many of which we will explore below.

Traditions

As you would wait, a Catholic funeral is traditionally held in a Cosmic church, though it may also be held at a funeral home. The service tends to exist led by a Catholic priest, who volition deliver a sermon likely to include commemorating snippets from the deceased's fourth dimension on World.

With a Catholic service, as opposed to other Christian funerals, at that place tend to be more rites performed. This includes a funeral mass, which symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. At that place volition also be music throughout the service.

Mass

• Introductory rite, or greeting by the priest
• Procession of priest, coffin, and congregation up the aisle
• Holy water sprinkled during the procession
• Opening song and prayers
• Readings from the Bible
• Holy Communion (Mass)
• More prayers
• Bury taken dorsum down the aisle and out of the church
• Prayers said at the graveside (or earlier the defunction shut if it'south a cremation) for the Rite of Committal

Discover that, unlike non-Catholic funerals, in that location is no eulogy. This is normally the instance with Catholic funerals. Friends and family who wish to say a few words nigh their loved one should plan to practice so at the wake or at a reception after the funeral, if there is one.

Cremation and autopsies

Cremation has in recent years been deemed an adequate practice by the Catholic church, only traditionally churches and cemeteries prefer that ashes be placed in a cremation urn and either buried or kept in a mausoleum, non scattered. Catholics believe at the finish of time all bodies will ascent from the grave to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Autopsies are immune, and Catholics actually run across them every bit an act of charity, a concept which is central to their faith. Embalming is besides allowed.

Wakes

Holding a wake before a Catholic funeral is a popular tradition. It may be held several days before the funeral and information technology ordinarily takes identify at night. Some Catholic wakes final for days while others go on for just a few hours. There may be a Acuity Service, which is the Cosmic religious term for a wake. The Vigil Service takes identify during the wake or the visitation/viewing period, which frequently occurs at a funeral home.

Catholic Funeral Etiquette

The atmosphere at a Catholic funeral is typically somber and respectful, so people should dress accordingly. For the Cosmic church building, that is interpreted as blackness, semi-formal clothing. Men should clothing a suit and necktie or at to the lowest degree a sports coat and tie. Women should clothing a black skirt or dress or pantsuit. If black clothing is non bachelor, attendees should aim for wearing the darkest semi-formal dress they have. It is no longer required that women wear hats, although some do. Men should absolutely not wear a hat in the church building.

Sending flowers is always appreciated, only cull an arrangement that is plumbing equipment for a somber church temper (no stuffed animals or balloons).

Catholic Funeral FAQ

What do you wear to a funeral mass?

A funeral mass is held in a church building, so a dark suit for men or dark dress or pantsuit for women is advisable. Article of clothing should cover the shoulders and knees... read more

A funeral mass is held in a church, so a dark suit for men or nighttime dress or pantsuit for women is advisable. Vesture should cover the shoulders and knees and jewelry should exist kept unproblematic.

How before long after death is a Catholic funeral?

Funerals accept identify anywhere from two days to one calendar week after death, but typically occur inside three days or and then. read more

Funerals have identify anywhere from two days to one week after death, but typically occur inside three days or so.

What is the rite of committal?

The final stage of a Catholic funeral is the Rite of Committal. It often takes identify at the cemetery only may also be part of the funeral service at the... read more than

The final stage of a Catholic funeral is the Rite of Committal. It ofttimes takes place at the cemetery but may as well be role of the funeral service at the church. Either way, this is the terminal rite, where the priest officially commits the trunk to the earth and anybody says their last goodbyes.

What is a rosary ceremony?

A Catholic funeral actually consists of three parts, each of which may occur at different times. The first part is the Vigil service, which takes place at... read more

A Cosmic funeral actually consists of three parts, each of which may occur at different times. The beginning role is the Vigil service, which takes place at the wake. Next is the Funeral Mass, which is the traditional funeral ceremony. Finally, there is the Rite of Committal. Reciting the Rosary, or a prepare of prayers, is a tradition that's performed at the wake.

Can a Catholic funeral exist held on a Sunday?

Traditionally, Catholic funerals are non held on Sundays, although there can be exceptions. Sundays are meant to be reserved for regular church services. read more than

Traditionally, Catholic funerals are not held on Sundays, although at that place can be exceptions. Sundays are meant to be reserved for regular church services.

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Source: https://www.memorialplanning.com/resources/religious-funerals-guide/catholic-funerals-guide-etiquette-traditions