The document provides information about Roman Catholic funeral practices and traditions. It discusses the church hierarchy including the Pope, bishops, and priests. It describes the layout of a typical Catholic church including areas like the nave, sanctuary, and sacristy. It provides details on Catholic funeral masses, wakes, the dressing and casketing of the deceased, and the committal service.

1. Roman
Catholics
Week 1
Funeral Directing & Professional Relationships

3. Roman Catholics
• Founded by:
Jesus Christ
aka Jesus of Nazareth,
King of the Jews
(INRI)
1st century AD
in Judea (Roman Empire)
• IHS = first three letters of
Ἰησοῦς (Greek for Jesus)

4. Roman Catholics
• Monotheistic
(originated from Judaism)
• 10 Commandments
• Jesus is the son of God
• Holy Trinity:
One God, three Persons
• God the Father
• God the Son
• God the Holy Spirit
• Born in original sin; must be
baptized for salvation
Papyrus 46

5. Roman Catholics
• Pope =
Father of the Church,
Bishop of Rome,
Head of Catholic Church
• College of Cardinals =
Princes of the Church
(advisors to the Pope)
• a dignity conferred upon bishops
• Archbishops =
head of an archdiocese
(a grouping of dioceses)
…

6. Roman Catholics
…
• Bishops =
head of a diocese
(100s of parishes)
diocese = grouping by
geographic location
• Monsignor =
Honorary title for priest
• Parish Priest
• Deacon
• Eucharistic Minister
[ Brothers / Nuns ]

7. Roman Catholics: church layout
• Chancel = area around the
altar, made of the
Sanctuary & Choir
• Sanctuary = area containing
the altar
• Altar = focal point of
church; elevated area for
communion
• Nave = seating area

8. Roman Catholics: church layout
• Sacristy = storage room
adjacent to chancel where
vestments are kept
• Transept = wings of the church
• Narthex = vestibule / entryway
• Gospel = left side of church
contains pulpit
• Epistle = right side of church
contains lecturn

9. Roman Catholics: funerals
• Very formal
• Follow liturgy
• All Catholics buried with a mass
• The Eucharist is given
= Communion
• Hold funeral in church where
sacraments were given
• i.e. baptism, confirmation, etc.
• No charge, but honorarium
encourage (expected)
• Celebrant can be:
priest, bishop, deacon, etc. Eucharist; chalice / calix; host

10. Roman Catholics: funerals
• Notification of clergy
• No longer immediate
• Do communicate for church arrangements
• Christian Burial Certificate = Priestly Lines =
a letter or form from a priest starting the eligibility of
the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of
the Catholic Church
• (for non-Catholics, stillborns, etc.)
• Most relevant for cemeteries

11. Roman Catholics: funerals
• Removal of remains
• No restrictions
• Maybe special prayers for clergy member
• Preparation of remains
• No restrictions
• Maybe special monastery embalming for clergy members

12. Roman Catholics: funerals
• Dressing & Casketing
• Ask family about religious articles
• Dressing is family’s choice
• Clergy members are buried in their vestments
Crucifix Rosary Sacred Heart

13. Roman Catholics: funerals
• Place remains in funeral home with:
• Vigil candle (Paschal candle) at each end of casket
• Prie dieu (kneeler) in front of casket
• Crucifix behind foot panel of casket
• Conveniently located prayer card stand
• Flowers

14. Roman Catholics: the wake
• Wake = Rosary Service
• Usually at funeral home, family home or church
the evening before the Funeral Mass
• Arrange with the priest!
• Reflection on the meaning of life, death, & eternal life
• Led by anyone
• Scripture readings selected by family/priest
• May have acclamations (responses)
• NOT a substitution for the Funeral Mass

15. Roman Catholics: the mass
• Funeral Mass is held at church
• BODY MUST BE PRESENT
• Pre-mass:
• Variations in where to meet, who leads
prayers
• Family is given final moments
• FD closes casket; places crucifix on top
• Processional begins with casket in narthex
• Celebrant blesses casket with asperges
(holy water)
• Casket is covered in pall

16. Roman Catholics: the mass
• Processional: altar
1. Crucifer
2. Acolytes (altar attendants):
1 with holy water, 1 with incense
3. Celebrant
4. FD
5. Casket FEET FIRST & casketbearers
6. Family
• Placement:
• Layperson or nun: feet at altar
• Clergy: head at altar

17. Roman Catholics: the mass
• The Mass:
• Casket is placed; Priest goes to altar; Family sits;
FD may leave church
• Bible readings (Psalms & the Gospel)
• Homily & eulogy
• Communion
• Final Commendation
• Recessional
• Again, feet first!

18. Roman Catholics: committal
• If burial
• Cemetery employee leads procession to gravesite
• If cremation
• (allowed only since 1963)
• Cremains must be buried or entombed in consecrated
ground or columbarium (NOT SCATTERED)
• Committal service:
• Psalm, scripture reading, invocation, prayer

19. Roman Catholics: extra terms
• Genuflect =
The act of bending the knee
as an indication of reverence
or as an act of humility
• Scapular = amice =
A piece of cloth or a medal
with religious significance,
usually worn around the
neck
• Sign of the cross =
A gesture of the right hand
touching the forehead,
breast, left and right should
successively