Protestant Funeral Rites Liturgical vs. Non-liturgical

Liturgical (Eucharist-centered) Worship “a prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element” Rubrics: “stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination” Gospel lectern vs. Epistle lectern

Liturgical Architecture Transepts: “wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services”

Liturgical Protestant Funeral Rite Notification of the Clergy Removal of Remains Preparation of the Remains Dressing and Casketing Remains Pre-service Considerations: honorarium Funeral Service: pall, crucifer, chancel, name, narthex, vestments, acolytes Committal Service

Episcopal Funeral Rite Priest: “a title conferred by ordination” Deacon: “a subordinate officer in a Christian church”

Lutheran Funeral Rite Synods

Non-liturgical Protestant Funeral Rite Non-liturgical (scripture centered) worship: “a form or order of worship which has the scriptures as its central element; the actual form or order of the worship service is left to the discretion of each individual church and/or minister”

Non-liturgical Funeral Rite (cont’d) Notification of the Clergy Removal of Remains Preparation of Remains Dressing and Casketing Pre-service Considerations Funeral Service Committal Service

Protestant Funerals in Other Facilities What are some examples of facilities that may be used for funerals? What are some of the considerations the funeral director must attend to?

Roman Catholic Funeral Rite

Glossary Terms brother, celebrant, Christian Burial Certificate, crucifix, crucifer, diocese, eucharist, final commendation, genuflect, holy water, mass, mass cards, nun, pall, paschal candle, priest, prayer cards, prie dieu, rosary beads, rosary prayers, rosary service, sanctuary, scapular/amice, spiritual bouquet cards, vigil lights, wake, wake service

Pope Cardinal Archbishop Bishop Monsignor Priest Deacon Eucharistic Minister

Roman Catholic Funeral Rite Notification of the Clergy Sacrament of the Sick Removal of the Remains Preparation of the Remains Dressing and Casketing the Remains

Roman Catholic Funeral Rite Considerations The Wake (Rosary Service, Vigil Service) The Funeral Mass Recessional

Committal Service Cremation

Fraternal Organizations What are some important considerations for the funeral director when fraternal organizations with to conduct a ceremony?

Veterans Organizations What are the responsibilities of the funeral director when working with Veterans organizations who are participating in the service?

Orthodox Church Funeral Rites Greek Orthodox Church Russian Orthodox Church Eastern Orthodox church Orthodox Catholic Church

Government Council of Bishops called a synod Majority of members belong to the Greek Orthodox churches.

Terms Cantor Deacon Divine Liturgy: liturgical celebration of the Eucharist Icon: holy picture Iconostasis (Iconostas, Iconostation): partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea

Terms (cont’d) Parastas: vigil service Royal Doors: in the center of the Iconostasis leading directly to the altar; only ordained clergy are to go through these doors Trisagion: 3 short services/blessings that are part of the funeral rite

Notification of the Clergy no restrictions no “last rites” are administered FD does not need to contact the priest unless requested to do so

Removal and Preparation of Remains no restrictions majority will choose a traditional funeral service generally disapprove of cremation

Dressing and Casketing no restrictions deceased priests may be dressed by priests

Pre-service Considerations begin with Trisagion held in the FH the evening before the funeral service and again the following day normally, candles placed at each end of the casket, cross behind the casket, and an icon at the foot end of the casket

Funeral Service generally not on Sundays and certain Holy Days Trisagion held at the FH immediately before the funeral service service is short and then attendees move in procession to the church for the funeral service

Arrival at the Church flowers may not be allowed casket and family move into the church and are met by the Priest Priest blesses the casket with holy water Cantor will accompany the Priest casket is led feet first

Funeral Service casket is usually open service will follow a liturgical order (Parastas/Great Panachida) eulogy may be offered towards the end after eulogy, casket turned parallel with Iconostasis Priest anoints body with earth/sand and olive oil

Icons very important may be placed in the casket, on the breast or arm of the deceased generally placed at the foot end of the casket

Ceremony of the Last Kissing those seated on the right side of the church may pass the casket, stopping to kiss the Icon Icon is then moved to the head end of the casket and those seated on the left side of the church may stop and kiss the Icon

Committal Service Usually earth burial or entombment Priest will lead the casket in the procession to the burial site Cantor will accompany the Priest readings and prayers, ending with a closing prayer