Common Customs And Traditions Of Funerals

Funerals around the world are performed by following various customs, rites and rituals. It is at the funerals that the near and dear ones finally accept the fate and pay their respects to the deceased’s soul.

Christian funerals are performed according to the Church rules. However, there are more than 200 different factions of Christianity that have their own different customs and rituals relating to the funeral ceremony.

An important ritual of a Christian funeral, called wake, is the first and foremost custom that is carried out before the actual funeral and involves a nightly watch over the deceased and recital of Biblical psalms for the peace of his soul. According to present day practices, this is the time where friends and family members see the dead person for the last time and pay their heartfelt homage. The body is either kept at the home or at Church and the time of paying visit is fixed according to prescribed norms. In olden days, the deceased used to be absolved of his sins of this birth by performing the ritual of absolution after wake. This included placing a cross on the deceased’s chest and offertory in the casket, where presents were kept.

Next comes the main ceremony, which starts with the transportation of the deceased’s body to the Church in a coach and is followed by recitation of hymns and prayers from the Bible. After this, the priest asks a relative or a friend to give a eulogy before the burial. Some of the communities follow this by a custom of tolling of the bells, marking the end of the service. Once the funeral proceedings are over, the casket with the deceased is transported to the burial site and burial service is held before the final burial.

Lastly, the funeral’s end is marked by a mourners’ lunch organised for the family members and those present at the funeral service. The main purpose of this tradition is to share the sorrow of the family and support them so that they can come to terms with the loss.

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