Christian funerals

It is the set of rites, prayers and liturgical celebrations with which the Church bids farewell to a faithful deceased, entrusting him to God's mercy and accompanying his loved ones in their suffering.

They come from the Latin exsequiae, which means "to accompany to the end". They are not considered a sacrament, but an act of faith centered on the paschal mystery (the death, passion and resurrection of Christ).

Meanings:

a) Communion with the deceased: They express the union between the earthly and the heavenly Church, remembering that death does not break the bond of love and prayer.

b) Memory of baptism: It is remembered that the person was incorporated into Christ by baptism and his resurrection is awaited.

c) Consolation to the living: They offer Christian hope to the family and to the reunited community in the face of the pain of separation.

The Catholic ritual is traditionally divided into three main moments:

1. The vigil or vigil: It takes place in the house, the funeral home or the chapel; one prays next to the body, reads the Word of God and accompanies the family.

2.La Liturgy of the Eucharist (Funeral Mass): It is the center of the celebration; Christ's sacrifice is offered for the forgiveness of the sins of the deceased and his entrance into eternal life.

3. The rite of the last farewell and burial: The body is finally entrusted to the earth in the cemetery, consecrated as a resting place awaiting the resurrection.

Fr. Claudio