There are several rituals and traditions that characterize funerals throughout the world. Funeral offers an opportunity to the family of the deceased person to pray for him and learn to cope with their loss and sorrow.
Christian funerals are performed according to the Church rules. However, given the fact that there are more than 200 denominations of Christian communities, the rituals can change 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 dead person for a night and chanting prayers for the dead. This significant tradition is known as wake. In present days, this is the time when relatives and acquaintances can pay their last respects to the deceased person. The body is either kept at the house or at Church and the time of paying visit is decided according to prescribed norms. In olden days, the deceased was sought to be absolved of his sins of his earthly existence by performing the ritual of absolution after wake. This included placing a cross on the departed’s chest and offertory in the casket, where gifts offered were kept.
Then comes the real service itself, where the dead is first transported to the Church in a hearse and prayers from the Bible are said and prayers are sung in the church. After this, the priest asks a family member or a friend to offer a eulogy before the body is buried. Some communities have tolling of the bells as a part of the proceedings that marks the end of ceremony. Once the funeral service is over, the casket with the body is transported to the burial site and burial service is held before the final burial.
Finally, the family members organize a lunch for the friends, relatives and acquaintances who are attending the funeral. The main aim of this custom is to partake in the sorrow of the family and help them deal and come to terms with the loss.
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