Lesson 2.1-Roman Catholic Burial Customs

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.

Define Monsignor.

An honorary title conferred upon a Priest

In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese

Bishop

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

Body would be cremated following mass and interred (No division or taking home)

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

Cardinal

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

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

Crucifix Incense Holy Water

The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church

Funeral Mass

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

Head near alter (Enter Head First, Leave Feet First)

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

INRI

Define Iconostasis

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

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

Kiss the Icon

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

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

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

Mass Cards

Define a Crucifer.

One who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession

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

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

Sacred Heart

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

Trisagion

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

Turn the casket so it is turned paralle to the iconostasis

List the order of the Roman Catholic Processional.

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

What are the 5 reasons we study religious funeral 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.

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.

Altar

In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of the archdiocese

Archbishop

A geographic grouping of dioceses in the Roman Catholic Faith

Archdiocese

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

At the narthex

Give the three meanings of the word Rosary.

Beads Prayers Service

The officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church

Celebrant

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

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

Dip their fingers into holy water and make the sign of the cross

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

Each end of the casket

Another name for Libera

Final Commendation

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

Final Commendation

What is the Greek Orthodox view of Cremation?

Forbidden since it is the deliberate destruction of the body

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

Genuflect

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(behind casket) Candles(near casket) Prie Dieu

The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus

IHS

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

Icon Orthodox Cross Candles

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

In hands

Define Solea

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

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

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

In the solea with the feet towards the altar

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

Priest offers blessing Funeral pall or crucifix is placed on the casket

Another name for Priestly Lines

Priestly Letter Christian Burial Permit

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 beads Crucifix Sacred Heart

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 Lights

What are the three movements of Roman Catholic Funeralization?

Vigil Service Funeral Mass Commital Service

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

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)