Christian Society All Over World Always Follow Some Basic Mourning Rites

By habits in Procrastinating on January 5th, 2012

If you look at it critically, you will realize that from birth to death our life is regulated by certain rites. Indeed, our life starts with baptism and ends with funeral; in between, there are hundreds others, which keep directing our every step and we follow them quite unconsciously. Moreover, such rites are always different for different religion. What is more, even where the religion is same, such rites can vary with variation of sect, nationality or race. The mourning rites for the Christian society too vary according to sects or nationality, but overall they involve the following steps:

• Wake -The first step is wake. This word is often used synonymously with ‘viewing’, but in actual practice, they refer to two different concepts. Now, the word ‘wake’ can have different meanings; but in this context, the word is used to mean ‘watch’. Wake involves keeping vigil over the body until the funeral takes place. These days wake generally takes place in a funeral home, where the body is first taken after the death. Here experts first embalm the body so that it does not decompose easily and once that is done, it is dressed properly and made to lie in an open casket. Somebody always keeps vigil over the body and candles too are kept lit for the entire duration.

• Vigil –vigil, which is sometimes called viewing are usually conducted with the remains of the deceased person who was used to be a public figure. Actors, famous personality, clergyman and politicians are often the ones whose remains can be viewed by the public provided that the family allows it. Depending on the honor due to the departed, further ceremonies will be done. For instance, if the one who died was used to be a president, 21-gun salute will be observed. Normally, viewing is conducted inside a funeral home but if the bereaved expect more people, it will be held in a bigger venue.

• Church service –this is a mourning rite that is two-fold. As the name suggests, it requires the presence of people from the church. Usually, the night before the interment, a mass or service is being held. This is also when the eulogy to the departed will be conducted. Before the body will be laid to final rest, the priest will again bless it. Just like in a normal service, quite a few bible verses will be quoted, one or two hymns will be sung and prayers will be made not just for the soul of the deceased but for the surviving family as well.

• Burial service – Next is burial. Christians traditionally bury their dead in their owned plots. However, if they do not own any such plots, they first need to buy one. At the burial site too, the clergy conduct a small ceremony. Once he has finally blessed the departed, the coffin is lowered into the grave. The family and friends then say their last goodbye and place flowers and/or memorabilia on the casket. Once that is done, the grave is filled with earth and the mourners depart leaving their loved one alone in his grave. Often a small luncheon known as repast is organized after that.

• Cremation – Today, cremation as a method for final disposal of the body is gaining acceptance among the Christian society. The church too is no longer against the practice. Under this method, the body is burned under high temperature in a closed crematorium and consequently it turns into ashes with a matter of hours. There is no scope for decaying of flesh or microbes feasting on it. The residual ashes are handed over to the family in urns and they now can have it strewn in land, water or memorial gardens created for such purpose. Some people also prefer to bury the ash and some others keep it at home.

• Burial at sea – Burial at sea must have started in good old days when the ships from Christian nations roamed over the seven seas year after year. Under this system, the body is wrapped and tied with weight (to ensure it sinks) and finally lowered into the sea. However, today we find sunken cemeteries where the dead can be given water burial. The Camiguin Island in the Philippines boasts of one such underwater cemetery.

Of course, this is just a synopsis of the rites. The mourning rites of Christians can vary with variation in sect, race or nationality. However, all of them put emphasis on the welfare of the soul. That is why prayers and blessings play such a big role in every stage of the funeral ceremony. The other aspects are minor in comparison.

Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on contratos funerarios Guatemala and cremacion Guatemala, visit his site today.

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