MOR 333 Funeral Directing II Lesson 2.1 (Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Customs)

christian burial permit (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.

celebrant

A person who officiates at a ceremony or rite; the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church.

Liturgical (Eucharist) centered worship

A prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element.

cantor

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

pall

A symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket.

sign of the cross

A symbolic sign of the Cross, made with the right hand.

priest

A title conferred by ordination.

wake

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.

INRI

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

acolyte

An altar attendant.

parish

An ecclesiastical district having its own church and member of the clergy.

altar

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.

cross

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

monsignor

An honorary title conferred upon a Priest.

rosary beads

Beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers.

requiem candles

Candles used for a funeral mass for a deceased in the Roman Catholic Church.

royal doors

Doors in the center of the Iconostasis leading directly to the altar; only ordained clergy are to go through these doors; never cross on the solea in front of the Royal Doors.

solea

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

iconostasis

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

icon

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

trisagion

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

paschal candle

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

cardinal

In the Roman Catholic faith, a dignity conferred upon Bishops making them Princes of the Church and who have a right to participate in a Papal election.

diocese

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

deacon

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

scapular

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

wake service

In the Roman Catholic faith, a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral home the evening before the Funeral Mass.

Sacred Heart

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

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

In the Roman Catholic faith, a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity.

Sister (Nun)

In the Roman Catholic faith, a woman who is a member of a religious order, especially one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

First Commendation (Libera)

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

archbishop

In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of the archdiocese.

bishop

Leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination; in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese; in the LDS faith, Bishop of the ward is the leader of a single congregation.

parishoners

Members of a parish.

crucifer (cross bearer)

One who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession.

rosary prayers

Prayers recited in order at a Rosary or Vigil Service.

vestments

Ritual garments worn by the clergy.

genuflect

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

Eucharist

The consecrated elements of Holy Communion.

IHS

The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus.

Pope

The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome.

mass

The liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial

The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church a.k.a. Funeral Liturgy.

Parasta (Great Panachida)

Vigil service associated with eastern Orthodox funerals.

holy water

Water blessed by a priest.

vigil lights (candles)

the Roman Catholic faith, set of two candles, 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.

Prie Dieu

A kneeling rail.

Rosary (vigil) service

A Roman Catholic prayer service for the repose of the soul of the departed.

spiritual bouquet card

A card indicating the sender will undertake certain devotional acts on behalf of another person, as in honor of a special occasion or in memory of someone who has died in the Roman Catholic Church.

divine

A cleric or theologian, or can be referenced to God.

crucifix

A cross with a figure or image representing the body the Christ (Corpus Christi) on it.

Archdiosese

A geographic grouping of dioceses in the Roman Catholic Faith.

superior

A head of a religious community such as a monastery, convent or abbey.