Roman Catholic Funeral Ceremony

Words: 1887
Pages: 8
Open Document
Roman Catholic & Orthodox Funeral Rites A funeral rite is defined as a ceremony or group of ceremonies held in connection with the burial or cremation of a dead person. The Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church have many similarities along with even more differences when comparing the funeral rites of each. Of all the Christian religions in the world, the Roman Catholic Church is the largest by far, having almost one-billion members world-wide with the United States claiming fifty-five million of those members. The Orthodox Church has a total population of around 5 million members in the United States alone. Along with a large amount of members, the Orthodox Church is considered to have the most titles according to the location and make-up …show more content…
For both religions, the clergy who will be contacted is called a priest. There are some considerations that take place in the Roman Catholic Church. Normally, factors such as time of death and place of death each play a role in the family’s decision for the appropriate time to notify the clergy. Families of this faith will not contact the priest in the middle of the night because they feel that the information can wait until morning. The family of the deceased are usually the ones to contact their priest. It is not necessary that the priest of an Orthodox church be contacted unless members of the deceased family asks the funeral director to do …show more content…
The Orthodox Church’s visitation is called a Trisagion, which is a series of three services or blessings. It is held the evening before the funeral, immediately after the funeral and again at the cemetery. Candles must be placed at each end of the casket with a cross being behind the casket and an icon, which are pictures usually of Christ and the Mother of God, at the foot end of the casket. For the Roman Catholic visitation, vigil candles are placed at each end of the casket. A prie dieu, or kneeling bench, is placed in front of the casket with a crucifix behind the foot panel of the casket. Mass cards and prayer cards are used as well and usually placed near the register book or at the entrance of the chapel. Depending on where the visitation takes place, music and flowers are not permitted. The Roman Catholic Church also has a Rosary Service, also known as a Wake, that is held the evening before the funeral Mass. It is led by a priest, family member, friend or even funeral director that knows how to perform such service. This service provides time for the community to share with the family a series of prayers and allows a time of reflection on the meaning of life and
Show More

Related Documents: Roman Catholic Funeral Ceremony

Analysis Of Passage In The Nacirema Culture

common practice is when a family member is dying in the hospital; the family will be present in the hospital waiting area to support each other. Death is also important in the Roman Catholic Church; the individual receives his or her last rite of the sacraments. The ceremony consists of a Rosary referred to as a wake, the funeral which starts off with a mass and the burial. This process can take three days to complete which allows time for the family to grieve. Overall the Hispanic culture is made…

Words 936 - Pages 4

Essay on Europe and France

important to the French people. In France their Religion is mainly the Catholic Church. When the church bell rings it marks death, wars, and weddings. Funerals are very important events in France; the whole community will go to them. The cemetery in France is a site of memory some say. The religion in France is made up of about 1 million protestants, 700,000 Jews, and 200,000 orthodox Christians, 15% non believers, and 80% roman catholic. Many Protestants fled in the 17th century because their religious…

Words 673 - Pages 3

Puerto Rico Superstitions

Despite the fact that most Puerto Ricans are strict Roman Catholics, nearby traditions have given a Caribbean flavor to some standard Catholic functions. Among these are weddings, absolutions and funerals. Furthermore, as other Caribbean islanders and Latin Americans, Puerto Ricans generally have confidence in espiritismo, the thought that the world is populated by spirits who…

Words 911 - Pages 4

William Tecumseh Sherman Biography

(Shooting Star) comes from the Shawnee Leader who had been killed in the Battle of Thames in 1813. In 1823, William’s father was elected to the legislature to the Supreme Court of Ohio. (Royster, page 1084) In 1829, at age 9, Sherman was baptized by a Roman Catholic priest, and William is added to his name. (Royster, page 1085) Sherman’s father died suddenly, of Typhoid Fever, when William was only nine years old. The death of his father left William’s family with few finances. A family friend, Thomas Ewing…

Words 1553 - Pages 7

Jackie Kennedy Essay

Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis Jackie Kennedy is one of the most remarkable women in history. She was a first lady who had a mind of her own, was an independent, hard working as a book editor and most importantly a mother. She was also known mostly for her fashion and her beauty. How could someone so successful overcome the grief and tragedy that Jackie has experienced? It’s as simple as inner strength and perseverance and this is something Jackie had a lot…

Words 2404 - Pages 10

Essay on Gcse Re

Fairness is having the same opportunities and rights as other people, and a sense of being valued and loved for being the people we are. Justice - Freedom from oppression When people treat each other without discrimination or prejudice Unfairness is when these opportunities are taken away or prevented for some reason, and when there is dishonesty and people are not valued. Examples of unfairness in society are 1 Treating people with discrimination 2 Ignoring human rights 3 Unfair action…

Words 5269 - Pages 22

A Case Study on Clinical Pastoral Education Essay

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION A CASE STUDY OF “AMBER BILL” A PATIENT AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL IN SASKATOON BY PATRICK AMPANI CASE STUDY ROAD MAP A. INTRODUCTION AND THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY B. PATIENT’S BACKGROUND INFORMATION C. FIRST ENCOUNTER (VERBATIM) D. PRELIMINARY REFLECTION a. my initial reaction b. main issues c. my plan of action d. psychological theory at work e. spiritual assessment f. theological reflection E. SECOND ENCOUNTER (followed by preliminary…

Words 7160 - Pages 29

Argentina Culture

Culture Throughout Latin America and in a big part of the world, Argentines suffer the reputation to be snobs, aspiring to be European and considering themselves superior to other Latin American. However, anyone who spends enough time in Argentina, especially outside Buenos Aires, will realize that this prototype tends to be wrong, especially for the warmth and kindness of these people, traits that best define Argentina society. There are two basic kinds of Argentines, the locals who are the population…

Words 1903 - Pages 8

Day of the Dead and Makeup Essay

friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with…

Words 3004 - Pages 13

Essay about British Culture

This had the following consequences: - England  Anglicanism - Lowland Scotland  Calvinism - Highland Scotland  Catholic - Ireland  Catholic Three long-reigning queens in British history: - Elizabeth I - Elizabeth II - Queen Victoria The Seventeenth century English became the written standard in Scotland as well because the Scottish Protestant church rather adopted…

Words 11555 - Pages 47