Funerals around the world are characterized by a many traditions and rituals. Funeral offers an opportunity to the family of the deceased to pray for his soul and learn to cope with their loss and sorrow.
Church rules govern rites of funerals in Christian communities. However, given the fact that there are more than 200 denominations of Christian communities, the traditions can vary depending on the allegiance of the family.
The very first ritual in a Christian funeral that is conducted before the actual ceremony relates to assembling around the deceased for a night and reciting prayers for the dead. This important tradition is called wake. According to present-day standards, this is the moment when relatives and close friends can pay their last respects to the deceased person. The body is properly preserved and kept either inside a Church or at the home, and the time of visit is specified. In earlier days, the second stage after wake used to be that of absolution, where a cross was placed on the deceased's body and offertory, which held the presents given by visitors, and the person was ritually absolved of the sins of this birth.
The following stage is the actual service itself in which the dead person is put into a coach and taken to the Church, where the priests and others chant prayers and hymns from the Bible. Then, the priest calls upon a friend or family member to give a eulogy or tribute to the departed's life. Some Christian communities have tolling of the bells as an integral part of the proceedings that signifies the end of ceremony. Following the funeral proceedings, the casket is taken to the burial site where a burial service is held before the act of burial.
Finally, the family members arrange for a lunch for everyone who has attended the funeral. The main objective of this custom is to partake in the grief of the family and support them so that they can come to terms with the loss.
Church rules govern rites of funerals in Christian communities. However, given the fact that there are more than 200 denominations of Christian communities, the traditions can vary depending on the allegiance of the family.
The very first ritual in a Christian funeral that is conducted before the actual ceremony relates to assembling around the deceased for a night and reciting prayers for the dead. This important tradition is called wake. According to present-day standards, this is the moment when relatives and close friends can pay their last respects to the deceased person. The body is properly preserved and kept either inside a Church or at the home, and the time of visit is specified. In earlier days, the second stage after wake used to be that of absolution, where a cross was placed on the deceased's body and offertory, which held the presents given by visitors, and the person was ritually absolved of the sins of this birth.
The following stage is the actual service itself in which the dead person is put into a coach and taken to the Church, where the priests and others chant prayers and hymns from the Bible. Then, the priest calls upon a friend or family member to give a eulogy or tribute to the departed's life. Some Christian communities have tolling of the bells as an integral part of the proceedings that signifies the end of ceremony. Following the funeral proceedings, the casket is taken to the burial site where a burial service is held before the act of burial.
Finally, the family members arrange for a lunch for everyone who has attended the funeral. The main objective of this custom is to partake in the grief of the family and support them so that they can come to terms with the loss.
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