Christian Funerals
Roman Catholic Funerals
Roman Catholics usually summon a priest to hear the dying persons confession whenever possible, and the priest will administer Holy Communion and Extreme Unction, annointing the person that has been blessed by a bishop, thereby absolving the dying person of guilt.
The funeral is usually held in the church that the person has attended, and includes a special Eucharist, a Requiem Mass, recalling the last supper that Jesus Christ shared with his disciples before his death. Prayers are said for the dead person’s soul, and the body in the coffin is blessed with incense and sprinkled with holy water.
Catholics are almost always buried, in keeping with their belief in the resurrection of the body.
Protestant Funerals
Protestant funeral rites tend to be a simplified version of the Catholic service. The dying person may have a pastor attend the deathbed to say prayers, and a prayer for the dead person and their family is usually said at their church on the following Sunday.
The funeral itself is usually a lot less formal than a Catholic funeral, and often includes speeches and readings by relatives and friends. Cremation is common amongst protestants.
Quaker Funerals
Quaker funerals are usually informal affairs, and the service one of silent contemplation broken by one or more persons speaking about the deceased person or reading a poem or text.
christian funerals