A funeral gives a place where people gather together to remember and commemorate the love ones who have moved on.
A religious service meets the spiritual needs of most people. It may be conducted in a church or a funeral home with a member of the clergy officiating. A non-religious or humanist funeral ceremony meets the needs of others. It is usually held in the funeral home and led by a person chosen by the family. Any type of rite can be adapted to the lifestyles of the deceased and those who survive.
Deciding whether or not to have an open casket viewing is another important decision. Viewing serves several helpful purposes: realization, recall and expression. This is done during the visitation or vigil and aids in the proper management of grief.
When Christians gather at the vigil, they show their respect and reverence for the deceased. They recall and share their memories of the person who has died. The community comforts the family with love and friendship, the assurance of prayer, and the offer of assistance. The Order of Christian Funerals provides two formats (the Rosary can be integrated into either at the request of the family) for vigils for adults and one format for children.
At the vigil, the Christian community prays that God may give the bereaved strength to bear their grief and faith to trust in the promise of eternal life.
Catholics bring the body of the deceased to the church. This is where their Christian journey began. In the waters of Baptism, they were joined to Christ, who stands victorious over death. This is where they were formed by the Word of God and fed at the Lord's Table.
The funeral liturgy is not merely a celebration of the bereaved family. Each time the Church celebrates the Mass, the Church proclaims to the entire world its belief in Christ's death and resurrection. These sacred rites, in turn, shape and form the Christian community and deepen its convictions.
The rite of committal, the conclusion of the funeral rites, is the final act of caring for the body of the deceased member of the Church.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church
1680 All the sacraments, and principally those of Christian initiation, have as their goal the last Passover of the child of God which, through death, leads him into the life of the Kingdom. Then what he confessed in faith and hope will be fulfilled: "I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."
The people were kind, compassionate, and very helpful. Everything being in one place made my life easier at a very trying time. Thank you for providing this service.
Losing a loved one can be overwhelming. It is important to remember to take care of yourself. Learn more about what to do when a loved one dies.
