The reception of the body is rich with baptismal symbolism. Recall that, at the beginning of our life in the Church, we are baptized. At our baptism, we are called by name, washed with holy water, clothed in a white garment, and given a candle that was lit off the Easter Candle. Symbolically, we believe that baptism is our joining with Christ in his death and resurrection.
So this is how it plays out at the other end of life:
- The presider greets the body (and mourners) at the door of the church (presumably near the baptismal font)
- The presider takes water from the baptismal font, sprinkles it on the coffin, and says, "In the waters of baptism, [name] died with Christ and rose with him to new life. May s/he now share with him eternal glory."
- A white cloth called the pall is placed over the coffin.
- The body is processed into the church while everyone sings, and is placed near the place where the lit Easter Candle stands.
I believe the beautiful Catholic funeral rituals are primarily for the friends and family of the deceased, a means to aid in the grieving process. Having experienced only graveside services for both of my parent’s(which was what THEY wanted), I feel we missed the closure the family needed after their deaths. How does the Church educate the community concerning the importance of these rituals? Is a funeral for a non-Catholic family member handled differently by the Church. Is there still a Mass?
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