2.1 Roman Catholic Burial and Eastern Orthodox Customs

List some items that may be present at the visitation of a deceased Greek Orthodox parishioner

- Candles may flank each side of the casket as in the Catholic visitation - An Icon may be placed near the casket - Orthodox cross may be placed behind the casket in the same manner as the Catholic Crucifix

non-liturgical architecture

-Center seating with side aisles • One center pulpit instead of a pulpit and lectern • Communion table instead of a rail • Usually contains choir loft and/or baptistery • No prescribed focal point in the church

List some items that may need to be placed near / on / in the casket of a deceased Roman Catholic and tell where each item would be located

-Holy water -crucifix placed behind the casket - candles near the casket - Prie Dieu -Tray for mass offering envelopes/spiritual bouquet cards

People involved in Orthodox Funeral

-Priest -Cantor 1. Usually responsible for the chants and incense during the service

List the order of the Roman Catholic Processional

-crucifer with other acoloytes -priest aka celebrant -funeral director -casket with pallbearers on each side -family -friends

What are three religious items the acolytes may bring with them to the cemetery for a Roman Catholic committal service?

-crucifix -incense -holy water

As each Roman Catholic enters the church for the funeral mass, what 2 things do they do?

-dip their finger in holy water -genufect

Describe what 2 things generally happen to the casket in the Narthex at the beginning of a Roman Catholic Funeral Mass

-funeral pall -crucifix

the funeral mass includes what?

1. Catholics Celebrate the Funeral Mass 2. Family may meet at the funeral home for final prayer before going to the church for the funeral mass. 3. Few (if any) flowers are usually taken to church 4. Friends may be seated in the church prior to the cortege arriving at the church. 5. Casket bearers carry the casket into the Narthex of the church 6. Priest will meet the casket at the narthex and offer blessing over the casket 7. Funeral pall or Crucifix is placed on the casket Processional into Church 8. As Roman Catholics enter the church, they will dip their finger into holy water and make the sign of the cross. 9. As each person enters the seat, they will genuflect while facing the tabernacle in the church 10. Casket will be placed perpendicular to the altar at the front of the church 11. At conclusion of the mass, the celebrant recites final commendation 12. Casket of layperson is turned to exit feet first 13. Recessional is in the same order as the processional 14. Once the recessional reaches the narthex where the pall was placed on the casket, the procession stops and removes the pall from the casket

dressing and casketing-catholic

1. Clothing The layperson has no restrictions on clothing, though the priest and nun will probably be dressed in the vestments of their position. 2. Rosary Rosary (beads) are placed in the hands of the deceased. 3. Crucifix A Crucifix may be placed in the head panel of the casket or on the outside of the foot panel. 4. Sacred Heart or Scapular A Sacred Heart or Scapular may be placed with the deceased, either in their hands or in the head panel of the casket.

Processional into Church

1. Crucifer - with other acolytes 2. Priest a.k.a. Celebrant 3. Funeral director at each end of the casket 4. Casket a. Pallbearers will be on each side or walking in front of the casket if the aisle is too narrow. b. Layperson will enter feet first c. Clergy will enter head first d. All exit Feet first 5. Family 6. Friends

Funeral Cortege

1. Escort - Lead car 2. Priest and Acolytes 3. Honorary Casket bearers 4. Active Casket bearers 5. Casket Coach 6. Family 7. Friends

Items that may need to be placed near/on the casket for a Catholic visitation

1. Holy water 2. Crucifix placed behind the casket 3. Candles near the casket 4. Prie Dieu - centered on the crucifix, you kneel at the crucifix not at the body or casket. 5. Tray for Mass offering envelopes/ Spiritual Bouquet Cards

Eastern Orthodox Art and Architecture include:

1. Icon 2. Iconostasis 3. Solea

priest and acolytes

1. In some instances the acolytes do not go to the cemetery, so it will only be the priest. 2. Priest may ride in the lead car or in the funeral coach

Casket will be placed perpendicular to the altar at the front of the church

1. Layperson will lay feet toward altar 2. Clergy will lay head toward altar

Orthodox Funeral

1. No funerals are held on Sunday or certain religious holidays 2. Casket pieces may be the only flower allowed in the church 3. Casket is placed in the solea with the feet toward the altar (This means you need to take 2 church trucks with you to the church.) 4. Candles are placed at each end of the casket 5. The last portion of the funeral service is the eulogy 6. Following the eulogy, the casket is turned so that it is parallel to the iconostasis 7. Once turned, the family and friends pass by the casket and kiss the icon, the crucifix, or the body 8. Priest makes the sign of the cross on the chest of the deceased with olive oil and sand 9. The casket is closed and is never reopened 10. Priest leads the recessional from the church to the casket coach 11. A person committing suicide may not get a funeral in the church 12. Cremation is forbidden since it is the deliberate destruction of the body -Orthodox Funeral Liturgy

Examples of Possible Visitation set ups

1. Open Casket for a veteran who did not die during the season of Lent. 2. Urn with death not during Lent. 3. Closed Casket for a veteran who requested a draped flag who died during the season of Lent.

Roman Catholic Hierarchy

1. Pope 2. Cardinal 3. Archbishop 4. Bishop 5. Monsignor 6. Priest

Eastern Orthodox Funeral Customs-Visitation

1. Priest will generally be present at the first viewing 2. Candles may flank each side of the casket as in the Catholic visitation 3. An Icon may be placed near the casket 4. Orthodox cross may be placed behind the casket in the same manner as the Catholic Crucifix

Give the three meanings of the word Rosary

1. Rosary Beads- beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers 2. Rosary Prayers- prayers recited in order at a Rosary of Vigil Service 3. Rosary Service- A roman Catholic prayer service for the repose of the soul of the deceased

Why do we study religious customs?

1. So we can provide attention to detail when serving families of that particular faith. 2. So we will show a proper reverence for the sacred objects and traditions. 3. So we will understand the process, as we defer to clergy. 4. So we will exhibit dignity and decorum. 5. So we can provide smooth procedures to the families we serve.

committal service

1. The priest will usually lead the procession into the cemetery and may be flanked by acolytes with crucifix, incense, and/or holy water. 2. Priest will stand at the head of the casket 3. Casket bearers stand at the foot of the casket 4. Priestly lines are required for burial in a Catholic cemetery 5. Cremation is allowed if the intention is not to deny the resurrection of the body, the cremated remains are not scattered and are not kept at home. The Church prefers the cremation to occur AFTER the funeral mass has been concluded, though they allow cremation prior to the funeral mass.

candles near the casket

1. Vigil lamps - 1 candle at each end of the casket; it is important to note there is only one vigil candle used during the season of Lent. The candle is placed at the head of the casket or urn. 2. Paschal candle - 1 candle at the head of the casket, this candle is typically only utilized at the church. 3. Requiem candles - 3 candles on each end of the casket - not used currently, were used historically.

Pre-Service Considerations

1. Wake or Vigil service is usually held at the funeral home the night before the funeral mass. 2. Casket is usually open during the visitation 3. Vigil or rosary prayer service is usually held at some time during the visitation. 4. Items that may need to be placed near/on the casket for a Catholic visitation.

What are the 5 reasons we study religious funeral customs?

1. provide attention to detail when serving families of particular faith 2. show a proper reverence for the sacred objects and traditions 3. understand the process, as we defer to clergy 4. exhibit dignity and decorum 5. provide smooth procedures to the families we serve

What are the three movements of Roman Catholic Funeralization?

1. vigil service 2. funeral mass 3. committal service

eastern orthodox funeral customs

1. visitation 2. Trisagion Prayers 3. Orthodox Funeral

Describe a Christian Burial Certificate

A letter from a Priest stating the Eligibility of the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church

Define Cantor

A religious singer who assists the clergy; assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; assists the Priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith

what are the three ceremonies of the catholic faith?

A. Vigil Service 1. Historically the rosary, now becoming other prayer services. B. The Funeral Mass C. The Committal Service

A few Words about Religious Ceremonies

As we begin our study of various ceremonies, a few words need to be expressed regarding the information discussed below. The following lessons contain information to assist the Funeral Director in better serving families of different faiths. The instructor of this course and the authors of the textbook understand that within any given religious organization, there may be different ceremonies. Not every Baptist church must perform the ceremony in the way expressed here. Not every Jewish family must meet all of the following points. Not every Catholic will have this exact funeralization. As funeral directors we are called to assist families in their time of need, we are not called to tell them which religious customs they must follow and which religious customs they can ignore. So if an Orthodox Jew comes to your funeral home and desires a Crucifix in the casket, it is your obligation to give the family the crucifix, though you may desire to express what the crucifix means. Finally, as funeral directors, we defer to the clergy on matters of religious protocol. Additionally, when you begin work in a funeral home, that funeral home may have an established way of performing a ceremony at a specific church. Usually it is because there is a history that shows that way to be the best in that church/synagogue. In one funeral home where I worked, we seated the family on the opposite side of the church than we did in other parishes within our service area. When I asked about why we did that, the funeral home manager/owner stated that the priest of that particular parish had requested the family be seated on that side, so he could see them better during the homily. You should follow the funeral home's established policies and procedures when serving families of different faiths

Another name for Priestly Lines

Christian Burial Certificate Christian Burial Permit

What is the Greek Orthodox view of Cremation?

Cremation is forbidden since it is the deliberate destruction of the body

The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus

IHS

An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews"

INRI

Define Solea

In the Eastern Orthodox church, the open area before the altar

Define Iconostasis

In the Eastern Orthodox church, the partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea

Define Icon

In the Eastern Orthodox faith, a holy picture; usually mosaic or painted on wood

Define Scapular

In the Roman catholic faith, a piece of cloth or a metal having religious significance usually worn around the neck

funeral pall

In the event of a Burial flag, remove the flag, place pall on, then after the service is completed, remove pall and place flag back on the casket

At the beginning of a Greek Orthodox Funeral Mass, where is the casket placed?

In the solea

Describe where candles would be placed during a Greek Orthodox Funeral Mass

May flank each side of the casket as in the Catholic visitation

notification of death-catholic

Not currently required, though it was required in the past. The priest would come to the place of death and perform "last rites" on the deceased. Some call the last rites the same as the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. The Funeral Home should know whether the local priest(s) wish to be called to perform last rites for the deceased

Define a Crucifer

One who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession

Describe the final action the Greek Orthodox priest takes with regard to the deceased body / casket at the end of the Funeral Mass

Priest makes the sign of the cross on the chest of the deceased with olive oil and sand

Where does the Roman Catholic priest normally meet the casket to begin the Funeral Mass?

Priest will be waiting at the Narthex to offer a blessing/Holy Water

What do those in attendance do as they pass by the casket at the end of the Greek Orthodox Funeral Mass?

The family and friends pass by the casket and kiss the icon, the crucifix, or the body

Trisagion Prayers

The prayers offered at the visitation

preparation of remains-catholic

There are no restrictions, though some may request a rosary (beads) be in the hands of the deceased the entire time from dead through the funeral. If this is the case, you may suggest using an inexpensive set during embalming, so they may be changed out with little problem if needed.

orthodox church

There are several types of Orthodox Churches. Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, to name a few. The funeral customs of these different types are very closely related and therefore are discussed together

three ceremonies of catholic faith

There are three movements (parts, rites) of Roman Catholic Funeralization. All three may be combined into 1 service, but traditionally, the vigil is held at the funeral home the night before the funeral mass, the funeral mass is held at the church, and the committal service follows at the cemetery

transfer of remains-catholic

There is no restrictions for the layperson. In some areas, there may be restrictions for priests or nuns. An Example would be a convent in northern Indiana requires a nun to ride with the deceased in the removal vehicle and stay with the body while being embalmed to insure the deceased stays properly covered at all times.

In the Eastern Orthodox faith, three short services or blessings that are part of the funeral rite

Trisagion

liturgical vs non-liturgical

Two Meanings • Architecture • Elements in a Service

The term used to describe a Roman Catholic altar attendant

acolyte

The term used to describe an elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious rites are performed; in the Christian faith, a table on which the Eucharist of Holy Communion is offered.

alter

Define Monsignor

an honorary title conferred upon a priest

In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of the archdiocese

archbishop

A geographic grouping of dioceses in the Roman Catholic Faith

archdiocese

In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese

bishop

In the Roman Catholic faith, a dignity conferred upon Bishops making them Princes of the Church

cardinal

The officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church

celebrant

An emblem of the church consisting of two plain bars at right angles to each other

cross

The term used to describe a cross with a figure or image representing the body the Christ (Corpus Christi) on it

crucifix

What is the Prie Dieu centered on during a Roman Catholic Visitation?

crucifix

In the Roman Catholic faith, a member of the clerical order (clergy) just below a Priest

deacon

In the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of Parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop

diocese

The term used to describe the consecrated elements of Holy Communion

eucharist

Describe the number of flowers generally taken to the Roman Catholic church for a Funeral Mass

few (if any) flowers are taken to the church

Another name for Libera

final commendation

In the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass

final commendation

The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church

funeral mass

The act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence

genfulect

For a deceased priest, what direction will the casket be during the Funeral Mass?

head toward alter, feet toward congregation

Where are rosary beads normally placed for a deceased Roman Catholic?

in the hands

set order=

liturgical

Cards on which an individual requests the priest to say mass for the soul of the deceased

mass card

Flexibility in Order

non-liturgical

The term used to describe a symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket

pall

In the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ

pashcal candle

The formal name of a kneeling rail

prie dieu

A title conferred by ordination of the leader teacher in a local Roman Catholic Church

priest

The Pope is known as the "Bishop of _________"

rome

When dressing and casketing the remains of a deceased Roman Catholic, what religious items may be placed with or on the body?

rosary crucifix sacred heart of scapular

In the Roman Catholic faith, a religious picture, usually of Jesus Christ

sacred heart

What is the preferred procedure if a Roman Catholic is to be cremated?

that the cremation occurs after the funeral mass has been concluded

Following the Eulogy during a Greek Orthodox Funeral Mass, what will the Funeral Director do to the Casket?

the casket is turned so that it is parallel to the iconostasis

The term used to describe the ritual garments worn by the clergy

vestments

The term used to describe the set of two candles used in the Roman Catholic Faith, one placed at the head of the casket and one placed at the foot of the casket during the visitation period in the home or funeral home

vigil lamps

The term used to describe a watch kept over the deceased sometimes lasting the entire night preceding the funeral; a watch kept over the dead; today it takes the form of visitation, calling hours or shiva; prayers and scripture reading may be a part of the wake

wake

funeral mass is either called depending on age?

• Mass of Christian Burial • Mass of Angels

Steps in Various Funeral Rites

• Notification of Clergy • Transfer of Remains • Preparation of Remains • Dressing and Casketing • Pre-Service Considerations • Funeral Service • Procession • Order of Service • Committal Service • Religion Specific Information

roman catholic hierarchy

• Pope -Bishop of Rome • Cardinal -Princes of the Church • Archbishop • Bishop -Verbal title - Bishop -Written title - The Most Reverend • Monsignor -Verbal title - Monsignor -Written title - The Reverend Monsignor • Priest -Verbal title - Father -Written title - The Reverend • Deacon -Written title - Deacon

liturgical architecture

• Traditional architecture is in the shape of a cross • Focal point is a cross or crucifix located on or near the altar • Center aisle • Communion rail • Pulpit • Lectern • Gospel side • Epistle side • Transepts • Narthex • Sanctuary • Chancel • Nave

other names for wake?

• Vigil or Rosary Service • Christian Prayer Service