Funerals are a time to celebrate a life and give surviving family members an opportunity to say their final goodbyes. Catholicism is no distinct from other religions and cultures in having distinctive rites and traditions to acknowledge someone’s demise.
Have a look at what rituals a catholic demise of someone may follow. Also, professionals good at catholic funeral services know of the rituals well and serve you accordingly.
It’s customary for friends and relatives to congregate at the cathedral, funeral service, or household home for the wake within the first few days after someone passes away (also referred to as the vigil). Preceding the funeral, this occurs. A clergyman usually preside over the wake in this. In addition to reading from the bible or reciting the rosary, people offer prayers for the deceased.
- Funeral Mass.
After the wake, a formal ceremony called the funeral mass is held in a Catholic church. The funeral mass is of utmost significance to Catholics because it symbolizes the soul’s return to God and entry into the hereafter. Additionally, it gives attendees a chance to pray for the deceased person’s family and for them. The priest would lead the prayers and say a few lines about the resurrection and court of conscience.
- Committal of Casket
The relative who has dropped dead away is dedicated to their last resting place during this ritual. At the commitment, additional Catholic funeral customs are observed. When a person chooses burial, the casket is plunged into the earth at this point. In order to symbolize prayers being made to God on account of the deceased, the priest waves perfume over the casket.
Catholics are permitted to be cremated, but the remains cannot be stored at home or freely distributed. The body should be kept in a single, hallowed location since, according to Catholic doctrine, the dead will be raised to life on judgement day.
Between two and seven days—typically three—follow the death, the memorial and burial are held. Since Sundays are set aside for the customary Sunday church service, the ceremonies are typically not held on Sundays. There are several Holy Days, like Easter, when mourning and funerals are not held. You should consider how long it will take to get your cremated remains if you decide on cremation.