Protestant Funeral Rites

Liturgical vs. Non-liturgical

Liturgical (Eucharist-centered)Worship

“a prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element”

Rubrics: “stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination”

Gospel lectern vs. Epistle lectern

Liturgical Architecture

Transepts: “wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services”

Liturgical Protestant Funeral

Rite

Notification of the Clergy Removal of Remains Preparation of the Remains Dressing and Casketing Remains Pre-service Considerations: honorarium Funeral Service: pall, crucifer, chancel,

name, narthex, vestments, acolytes Committal Service

Episcopal Funeral Rite

Priest: “a title conferred by ordination”

Deacon: “a subordinate officer in a Christian church”

Lutheran Funeral Rite

Synods

Non-liturgical Protestant Funeral Rite

Non-liturgical (scripture centered) worship: “a form or order of worship which has the scriptures as its central element; the actual form or order of the worship service is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister”

Non-liturgical Funeral Rite (cont’d)

Notification of the Clergy Removal of Remains Preparation of Remains Dressing and Casketing Pre-service Considerations Funeral Service Committal Service

Protestant Funerals in Other Facilities

What are some examples of facilities that may be used for funerals?

What are some of the considerations the funeral director must attend to?

Roman Catholic Funeral Rite

Glossary Terms brother, celebrant, Christian Burial

Certificate, crucifix, crucifer, diocese, eucharist, final commendation, genuflect, holy water, mass, mass cards, nun, pall, paschal candle, priest, prayer cards, prie dieu, rosary beads, rosary prayers, rosary service, sanctuary, scapular/amice, spiritual bouquet cards, vigil lights, wake, wake service

PopeCardinal

ArchbishopBishop

MonsignorPriest

DeaconEucharistic Minister

Roman Catholic Funeral Rite

Notification of the Clergy Sacrament of the Sick

Removal of the Remains Preparation of the Remains Dressing and Casketing the

Remains

Roman Catholic Funeral Rite Considerations

The Wake (Rosary Service, Vigil

Service)

The Funeral Mass

Recessional

Committal Service

Cremation

Fraternal Organizations

What are some important considerations for the funeral director when fraternal organizations with to conduct a ceremony?

Veterans Organizations

What are the responsibilities of the funeral director when working with Veterans organizations who are participating in the service?

Orthodox Church Funeral Rites

Greek Orthodox ChurchRussian Orthodox ChurchEastern Orthodox churchOrthodox Catholic Church

Government

Council of Bishops called a synod

Majority of members belong to the Greek Orthodox churches.

Terms Cantor Deacon Divine Liturgy: liturgical celebration of

the Eucharist Icon: holy picture Iconostasis (Iconostas, Iconostation):

partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea

Terms (cont’d)

Parastas: vigil service Royal Doors: in the center of the

Iconostasis leading directly to the altar; only ordained clergy are to go through these doors

Trisagion: 3 short services/blessings that are part of the funeral rite

Notification of the Clergy

no restrictions no “last rites” are administered FD does not need to contact the

priest unless requested to do so

Removal and Preparation of Remains

no restrictions majority will choose a traditional

funeral service generally disapprove of cremation

Dressing and Casketing

no restrictions deceased priests may be dressed

by priests

Pre-service Considerations

begin with Trisagion held in the FH the evening before

the funeral service and again the following day

normally, candles placed at each end of the casket, cross behind the casket, and an icon at the foot end of the casket

Funeral Service

generally not on Sundays and certain Holy Days

Trisagion held at the FH immediately before the funeral service

service is short and then attendees move in procession to the church for the funeral service

Arrival at the Church

flowers may not be allowed casket and family move into the

church and are met by the Priest Priest blesses the casket with holy

water Cantor will accompany the Priest casket is led feet first

Funeral Service casket is usually open service will follow a liturgical order

(Parastas/Great Panachida) eulogy may be offered towards the

end after eulogy, casket turned parallel

with Iconostasis Priest anoints body with earth/sand

and olive oil

Icons

very important may be placed in the casket, on

the breast or arm of the deceased generally placed at the foot end of

the casket

Ceremony of the Last Kissing

those seated on the right side of the church may pass the casket, stopping to kiss the Icon

Icon is then moved to the head end of the casket and those seated on the left side of the church may stop and kiss the Icon

Committal Service

Usually earth burial or entombment

Priest will lead the casket in the procession to the burial site

Cantor will accompany the Priest readings and prayers, ending with

a closing prayer