Christian Funeral Symbols

General Introduction

At the death of a Christian, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceasedChurch also ministers to the sorrowing with the word of God and the sacrament of the EucharistCelebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living

Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to GodThe Mass is the principal celebration of the Christians funeralThe Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heavenCommunity acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God at the rite of final commendation and farewell

“The Funeral Mass especially expresses faith in Jesus’ victory over death and our personal share in that resurrection. It does so through prayers and blessings, through songs and readings, through ceremonies and symbols. A few words on some of these may make the liturgy in church more understandable and more consoling.”

~Champlin, 7

Ministry and Participation

The faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of a loved oneChristian consolation is rooted in the hope that comes the faith of our resurrectionResponsibility for the ministry of consolation rests with the community

The community’s principal involvement in the ministry of consolation is expressed in its active participation in the celebration of the funeral rites

Liturgical Elements

Word of GodReadings proclaim to the assembly the paschal mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hop of resurrection, and encourage the witness of Christian lifeTell of God’s designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his ownThree readings are used, one from the Hebrew Scriptures, one from the Christian Scriptures, and one from the Gospels.

Here are some common choices for funeral readings in the Catholic tradition…

“The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” ~Wisdom

“Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.” ~John

“Are you unaware that you who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.” ~Romans

PsalmsPowerfully express the suffering and pain, the hope and trust of people of every age and cultureSing of faith in God, of revelation, and redemption

HomilyBased on the readingsAttentive to the grief of those presentHomilist should dwell on God’s compassionate love and to help the community understand the paschal mystery and God’s love for us

Prayers & Intercessions

Presiding minister addresses God on behalf of the deceased and the mourners in the name of the entire ChurchAssembly responds with prayers of intercession for the deceased, all the dead, the family, all who mourn, and for all in the assembly

Music

Integral to the funeral ritesAllows the community to express convictions and feelingsHas the power to console and uplift the mournersStrengthens the unity of the assembly in faith and love

Symbols

Easter Candle & other candlesEaster candle reminds the faithful of Christ’s undying presence among them, of his victory over sin and death, and of their share in that victory by virtue of their initiationRecalls the Easter Vigil, the night when the Church awaits the Lord’s resurrection

In the Catholic funeral service we carry this candle in procession or place it before the casket as a reminder that the deceased, through death, shares in that victory of Jesus over the powers of darkness.Other candles are a sign of reverence and solemnity

Holy Water

Reminds the assembly of the saving waters of baptismIn the rite of reception of the body at the church, it calls to mind the deceased’s baptism and initiation into the community of faithIn the rite of final commendation the use signifies farewell

Incense

A sign of honor to the body of the deceasedUsed as a sign of the community’s prayers for the deceased rising to the throne of GodA sign of farewell

Placing of the White Pall

Reminds us of Baptismal clothing and symbolizes our life in ChristIt is draped over the casket at the beginning of the funeralSymbolizes that we are all equal in the eyes of God

Family members often choose to place the pall on the casket themselves

Symbols of Christian Life

A symbol of the Christian life is carried in the procession by a family member or friend and placed on the casket when it is located before the altar.This may be a book of the Gospels as a sign that Christians live by the word of God. It might also be a cross as a sign that the Christian is marked by the cross in Baptism and through Jesus’ suffering is brought to the victory of Resurrection.

Liturgical Color

Color chosen for funerals should express Christian hopeWhite is normally associated with Easter, weddings, baptisms and other events of joy, happiness and victory.We are not just grieving over a loved one’s loss, but celebrating his or her entrance through death into life forever.In the US, white, violet, or black may be worn

CremationRecommended that cremation take place after the Funeral LiturgyVigil for the Deceased & related prayers, as well as the Funeral Liturgy and the rite of Final Commendation and Farewell all take place with only minor changes to the words used – then cremation takes placeRite of Committal would then follow and is the same, but alternate form for the words are used

Explicit baptismal references are omittedRemains are still sprinkled with holy water but the prayer does not directly stress Baptism (as it does if the body is present)Prayers chosen are to be those which do not make specific reference to the bodyIn the prayer of committal earthly remains is substituted for body