Funeral

• Resurrection


  The raising of the body

  to life following death.

  Catholics believe Jesus

  rose from the dead.
• Soul


  The spiritual part of a human

  that can never die. The part

  created by God that lives on

  after the death of the body.
• Heaven


  Eternal existence in

  God’s presence
• Hell


  The lack of God for all eternity
• Magisterium


  The teaching authority

  of the Roman Catholic

  Church that comes from

  the Pope and Bishops.
• Judgement


  Judging someone on their

  actions. Catholics believe God

  will judge people on how they

  have lived their lives.
• Eternal Life


  Spiritual existence in

  heaven after the death

  of the body.
• Death


  The end of physical life.

  Catholics see death as a change

  rather than an ending
• Coffin Pall

  The white coffin pall is symbolic of the white garment that the deceased person wore at their baptism. It gives hope of the resurrection that the person will rise to have

  eternal life with God.
• Crucifix &

  Gospels


  The priest places a book of the gospels and a crucifix on the coffin. The gospels signify the person’s life dedicated to the teachings of Jesus, and the crucifix reminds

  believers that will share in Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
• Holy

  Water &

  Incense

  The coffin is sprinkled with holy water as a reminder of the dead person’s baptism and the promise of sharing in Jesus’ resurrection. The incense is burned and the smoke

  rises which symbolises the soul of the deceased ascending to heaven to have eternal life with God.
• Paschal

  Candle


  The Paschal Candle is lit and represents the belief that Jesus won a victory over death and they can share in the resurrection and have eternal life. The flame represents

  Jesus as the light in the darkness. He provides hope of life after death.
• Readings

  & Prayers


  Mass is celebrated with readings and prayers focused on the Christian hope of eternal life. After the Liturgy of the Word comes the homily, when the priest explains the

  meaning of the readings. The homily normally includes a tribute to the person who has died.
• Music


  The music, traditionally Faure’s Requiem, is played at the funeral. Music lifts our hearts and minds toward God. The music is designed to help people mourn their loved

  ones and the words of the hymns express beliefs about the resurrection and life after death.