week 4 : roman catholic funerals

the largest christian organization in the world is the ____

roman catholic church

the central administrative facility is located in_______

vatican city/ Rome Italy

“catholic”

“universal”

Roman Catholics are _____ - centered

eucharistic (liturgical)

parish

local church or congregation

diocese

A geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of; 144 in the US

Archdiocese

geographical grouping of one or more diocese under the jurisdiction of an archbishop; 32 in the US

The Roman Catholic Church has a ______ structure

ecclesiastical

eucharistic minister

a layperson (male or female) who administers Holy Communion

Deacon

ordained clergy below a priest

priest

ordained clergy; head of local parish; “Father”

Monsignor

An honorary title given to a priest; head of the local parish; ordained

bishop

ordained clergy; head of diocese

archbishop

ordained clergy; head of archdiocese

cardinal

Prince of the Church; college of Cardinals; serve the Pope; handle administrative duties, elect a new Pope

Pope

Head of the Roman Catholic Church; Bishop of Rome; “His Holiness”

celebrant

the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church

Christian Burial Certificate

a letter of form from a Priest stating eligibility of the deceased for burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery

Crucifer

the one who carries the cross or crucifix during the ecclesiastical procession

Crucifix

a cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (Corpus)

Eucharist

the consecrated elements of Holy Communion

final commendation

in the Roman catholic faith, the ending portion of the funeral mass

Funeral Liturgy

the formal name for the Roman Catholic Funeral service

Genuflect

the act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility

Holy Water

blessed or consecrated water that is used to bless the remains

mass cards

written request for a mass for a specific intention

pall

a symbolic cloth placed over the casket

Paschal Candle

in the Roman Catholic Faith, a candle places near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ

prayer cards

a card with the name of the decedent & a prayer or verse, may or may not include birth and death dates

Prayer Rail

(prie dieu) (kneeler)

small bench placed in front of the casket or urn to allow a person to kneel for prayer

Rosary Beads

a chain of adjoining beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayer

Rosary Service

a service at which rosary prayers are recited

Sacrament 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

Scapular

piece of cloth or medal having religious significance usually worn around the neck

Vigil Candles

set of 2 candles that may be placed, one at the head & one at the foot of the casket, during the visitation period

wake service / vigil service

a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral establishment the evening before the funeral

Roman Catholic pre-service considerations

placement of religious symbols

availability of prayer cards

special considerations for religious leaders

Roman Catholic Funeral Customs

wake

• funeral establishment chapel or other

• Vigil, Rosary, or scripture service

Funeral Mass in the church

• Blessing of the casket

• placement of the Pall

• traditional order of processional

  • crucifer, alter attendants, clergy, casket bearers, casket, family

• casket placement

  • laypeople & non-ordained religious orders

  • ordained religious leaders

Roman Catholic Committal Service

• follow cemetery requirements

• clergy requirements

  • holy water, sand/earth, crucifix

• whole body burial in catholic cemetery is preferred

Roman Catholic Cremation Preferences

• Funeral Mass with remains present before cremation

• Memorial Mass celebrated after direct cremation

• cremated remains MUST be buried or inurned

As a Funeral Director serving all segments of society, you should know and be able to recite the ______ & ______ prayers

• Our Father

• Hail Mary

other Roman Catholic considerations

• no funerals on Sunday, Holy Days, or many times Holy Week

• no viewing of the body inside the church, often in the Narthex

• Pall is placed on casket as you enter & not removed until the conclusion of the service

• flowers are placed in the Narthex, NOT taken in church

Acolyte

alter server at the mass/ alter attendant

bow

inclination of the body made while standing during liturgical prayer

Brother

in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of the religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination

Cantor

Precentor; leads congregational responsorial hymns and psalms

Celebrate

officiant who celebrates the mass in the Roman Catholic Church

chancel

Building or designated area of a building which services are conducted,

may contain an altar

Communion

reception of the Eucharist

Cross Bearer

The one who carries the cross in a religious procession

Entrance Rite

Approach of a celebrant and his assistants to public worship

Epistol side

The right side of the church as the congregation faces the alter

contains the lectern from which the old Testament and the Epistle lessons are read

Eucharist

The body and blood of Christ

Elements of holy communion

gospel side

left side of the church

Place for reading the gospels and delivery of the homily by the minister

Holy water

Consencrated or blessed water

homily/ sermon

Preaching of the word of God by the clergy

Host

consecrated bread of the Eucharist

IHS

first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus

incense

mixture of various resins burned to produce a pleasant odor

Used in church rituals

INRI

abbreviation for the Latin term meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, king of Jews “

Kiss of peace

Mutual embrace

Mass

liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church

Mass card (Spiritual bouquet)

Document indicating the offering of a mass for specific intention

Narthex

lobby

vestibule

Foyer

Entryway to the church

nave

seating section of the main body of the church

One of the two main areas of the church, the other being the chancel

obsequies

antiquated term for funeral rights or funeral services

Professional

organized predetermined method of moving from the narthex to the altar at the beginning of the funeral services

related rites

generally celebrated by the family of the deceased together with the Roman Catholic minister

Usually performed during this critical moments of the grieving journey

Include:

prayer after death

Gathering in the presence of the body

Transfer of the body to the church or place of committal

requiem candles

three candles placed on each side of the casket in front of the altar

recently replaced by the use of paschal candles in many areas of the country

Rite

A form of liturgy regulated by tradition and law

Rate of committal

celebrated prior to the funeral liturgy

Usually at the funeral home on the morning of the funeral liturgy

Proceeding in the closing of the casket; Recited by family, friends, minister, priest, or funeral professional; May also be combined with the right of the final commendation when necessary adoptions are made

Rubrics

in the surgical churches, Stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination

Sacred Heart

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

Sacristy

rheum adjacent to the chancel in which liturgical vessels utensils investments are kept

Sanctuary

Part of the chance will containing the altar

Tabernacle

shrine in which the blessed sacraments / eucharist are kept

Thurible

receptacle in which incense are burned

Thurifer

alter attendant who carries thurible

transepts

Wings of the main part of the church, which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services

vestments

ritual garments worn by the clergy