Funerals

• Purpose -

  to grieve for the deceased person to celebrate the love for them and to find comfort in the hope that they’ll spend the after life with God
• White cloth covering the coffin -

  reminder of this persons baptism , where white is worn as a symbol of being cleansed from sin
• Bible -

  • Often placed on top of the coffin as a reminder that the person lived by the teachings of Jesus
• Cross -

  often place on top of the coffin as a reminder that the person can receive eternal life through Jesus’ death on the cross + his resurrection
• Paschal candle -

  often placed near the coffin as a reminder of the Resurrection
• Candles -

  represent Jesus as the ‘light of the world’ - he guided a path to heaven
• Holy water -

  • priest sprinkles on the coffin
  • reminder if baptism - journey with Christ
• Incense -

  Way of honouring the person
• Readings -

  • Reminder of the resurrection and eternal life
  • declaration of hope and a comfort to those who are grieving
• Vestments -

  priest will wear white vestments

  • its the liturgical colour for the resurrection and the promise of eternal life