Worship - The Funeral Rite

Question 1

What does the funeral rite represent?

Answer 1

The Catholic belief in returning to God, the resurrection, after life

Question 2

What are the stages of the funeral rite?

Answer 2

Reception of the body
Funeral mass
Committal
Grave or cremation

Question 3

What takes place in the reception of the body?

Answer 3

1. Open coffin before the service at home or church to say good bye and offer comfort to family
2. The body is taken to church - deceased presented back to god
3. Holy water sprinkled as reminder of baptism
4. Placed by Paschal candle - light of the Risen Christ

Question 4

What happens at the funeral mass and committal?

Answer 4

Priest wears purple or white
Mass called requiem -means rest ‘eternal rest give unto them lord’
Readings about effects of resurrection-John 11.1-44 ‘I am the the resurrection and the life.’ Or Lazarus from the dead
A special prayer said during Eucharistic prayer for the person called
Hymns -favourite memories or about eternal life
Sermon -death is not the end
Eulogy -celebration and memories from family member
Committal - prayer at end of mass -forgiveness of deceased’s sin, holy water and incense. Rising smoke represnts prayers being offered to god
Coffin is blessed
Prayers for the mourners

Question 5

What happens at the grave?

Answer 5

Our father is said - the dead person was a child of,god being received back into his care
Holy water sprinkled
Prayers to ask that deceased quickly attains happiness of heaven
WAke -family and friends have social time to show support and share memories