Reception of the body is also called a prayer vigil. The coffin is taken to the church the evening before the funeral, where many people gather to pray. Though it is a tradition in many
Reception of the body is also called a prayer vigil. The coffin is taken to the church the evening before the funeral, where many people gather to pray. Though it is a tradition in many cultures, Catholics have good reasons why their families are to attend these services. The mourners around the coffin will prey on the Rosary. There will be readings, music, and sharing of memories of the person who has died by the loved ones. A prayer vigil mustn’t be done in the church as it can also be done and the family home or a catholic funeral parlour home.
There are three main stages in Catholic funerals,
- The first stage includes the reception of the body or prayer vigil in the evening just before the funeral. This is optional but very popular these days.
- The next stage includes a funeral mass or funeral service with mass.
- The last stage includes the committal taking place at the crematorium or cemetery.
Not all catholic funerals follow these stages in the respective patterns, but these will incorporate elements for every stage. Catholic Funeral Parlours will be called to make the arrangements and execute the final rituals.
The church funeral
A large funeral mass, also known as Requiem Mass by Catholics, will be encouraged by the church as it includes Holy communion. It is more likely that the families would want a Funeral mass in their Parish Church if the person who died was practising Catholic. Funerals are celebrated at a regular weekday mass in some parishes and are part of the life of the Parish.
The consolation
Funeral mass can be consoling even if the church is distant from you. It is said that the people who have not attended the group even once are often profoundly moved by it. If you are the few Catholics who are likely to participate, you would like to prefer a Funeral without a massive gathering at the church. There is no Holy communion for the large mass, which is called a “ funeral outside mass” for this service.
Main parts of a Catholic funeral
There will be a reception at Church, where the priest greets mourners at the church’s door and sprinkles the coffin with holy water. We can see at least one reading from the old or new testament and psalm. Families and friends bring the bread or wine to the altar ahead of the eucharistic prayer if it is a Funeral mass. Then the holy communion is offered. Special prayers accompany the person who has died, and the priest sprinkles the coffin with holy water as the farewell song is played.