Catholic Christianity & Funerals (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A) : Revision Note

The nature & significance of the funeral rite

• Funeral rites are the set of actions performed when a person dies

• Funerals are not one of the seven sacraments, but they are still very important occasions

The nature of the funeral rite

• The funeral rite has three parts to it: 

  • the vigil or reception of the body

  • the funeral rite in the church

  • the funeral rite at the cemetery

• The vigil or reception of the body happens the night before the funeral, either in the home or at the church

  • A priest leads the family in prayers for the person who has died

  • This service helps the family and friends prepare to say goodbye

• The funeral rite in the church often includes Holy Communion. This is known as a requiem Mass (‘requiem’ is Latin and means ‘rest’

  • There are set rituals during the funeral rite, including the procession of the coffin

  • The coffin is covered in a pall (white sheet), the Paschal candle is lit and holy water is sprinkled over the person. 

    • All of these symbols are also used at baptism

    • Just as the sacrament of baptism welcomes a person into their new life as a Christian, the funeral rite marks the person’s new eternal life in heaven

    • This is reflected in the words that the priest says over the coffin: “In the waters of baptism [name] died with Christ and rose with him to new life. May s/he now share with him in eternal glory.”

  • The Bible readings during the funeral rite centre on Jesus’ resurrection and the hope that the deceased person will share in this resurrection at the Day of Judgement

  • The prayers throughout the funeral service also reflect the Catholic belief that God will care for the person who has died and that they will be with God for eternal life.

    • Prayers are also said for those who are mourning, that they will one day be reunited with their loved one in heaven

• The funeral rite at the cemetery is also known as the committal

  • The coffin is carried to consecrated (holy) ground

  • The priest leads a short prayer service, reflecting the belief that the person has been received into God’s eternal love

  • The coffin is sprinkled with holy water and buried in the ground. The priest uses the words “ashes to ashes, dust to dust”

• Later a gravestone will be placed at the location of the grave

The aims and significance of the funeral rite

• The prayers, Bible readings and actions performed during the funeral rite all reflect the Catholic faith that there is eternal life after death with God through the death of Jesus

• The funeral rite gives the family and friends of the deceased person a chance to say a respectful goodbye to the person and celebrate their life

• It shows the importance of the deceased, and every living person, in God’s eyes  

• It gives the community a chance to gather and unite in prayer

• It helps believers to think about their own lives and what they might need to do to enter heaven when their life on earth ends

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that this farewell is the final ‘commendation to God’ by the Church

• Most Catholics prefer to be buried rather than cremated as many believe in the resurrection of the body after death