Bible Dictionaries
Rites, Funeral

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Rites, Congregation of

Next Entry
Rites, Greek

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Dictionaries
Charles Buck Dictionary
• Funeral, Rites
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Rites, Funeral
• Funeral Rites
Watson's Theological Dictionary
• Funeral Rites
Encyclopedias
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Funeral Rites
The Jewish Encyclopedia
• Funeral Rites

Those liturgical functions performed at the burial of members of the Catholic Church. The Roman Ritual distinguishes two functions, viz., for adults and infants, ie., such as have not yet attained the use of reason. Where it is customary, the body is accompanied to the church. Mass is celebrated, after which follows the absolution, or "Libera" and interment, all performed by a priest. Black, as a sign of grief, is employed, except when the rank of a feast precludes its use and requires another color; white is used at the burial of infants. These rites, as archreology proves, substantially date back to the first centuries of Christianity.