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Funeral Rituals

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A Threefold Ritual
The Order of Christian Funerals prescribes three separate and ideally sequential rites to celebrate the journey of the deceased from this life to the next. This movement or progression of rites can be helpful to the mourners going through this period of separation. The ideal sequence of these three rites is The Vigil, The Funeral Mass, and The Rite of Committal.

The 3 Stages of Funeral Rites

As Catholics, our three stage funeral rights have a processional sequence.
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The Vigil (wake)

The Vigil takes place between the time of death and the Funeral Mass. This Rite is presided over by a priest, deacon, or prepared lay person. It's a time when family and friends gather to reflect upon that person's life and to express their own feelings. The Vigil is usually held in the funeral home. This service consists of prayers and scripture readings. The Vigil is typically held before the funeral

The Funeral Mass

This Funeral Mass is the principal celebration of the funeral. Some of the symbols that are incorporated in the Mass include draping of a white pall over the casket signifying the person's baptism, the Easter Candle at the foot of the casket or the urn, and sprinkling of holy water on the casket or urn.

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The Rite of Committal

The Rite of Committal is the last of the Funeral Rites. This Rite consists of a Scripture reading and short prayers led by a priest, deacon, or prepared lay person. The Committal Service is celebrated near the final resting place of the deceased person such as a gravesite, mausoleum or cemetery chapel.