christianity

• • prayers are said for the dying person and ask God forgiveness, comfort and peace
  • this shows the importance of establishing a relationship with God
• • Roman Catholics have the last rites in which the priest gives Holy Communion
  • this shows the importance of sacraments and belief in forgiveness of sins through Christ
• a white sheet called a pall is placed over the coffin as it represents purity and innocence
• • at the funeral, the words "I am the resurrection and the Life" is often read
  • this shows that those who believe in Jesus will be resurrected and reach eternal life
• • candles are lit for a funeral in a church
  • shows the belief that Jesus is the light of the world who guides a passage to heaven
• • some Christians believe it is important to be buried rather than cremated
  • this shows the belief that some Christians believe that there will be bodily resurrection of Day of Judgement
• • some believe that the soul and the body are seperate
  • this may suggest that being cremated is acceptable as the soul is what goes to heaven
• • some believe that the soul and body are one
  • this may suggest that they prefer burials to cremation at death