Not from today, Catholics strongly prohibit the act of
cremation of the passing soul, as they believe the death on earth is the only
end of the physical world, and the person has moved to his or her next life in
the heaven, hell or purgatory.
Catholic funeral services are being carried out
in harmony with the prescribed rites of the Catholic Church for the deceased
who has lived his life as per catholic rituals.
Further, the CatholicFuneral Services or rites are divided into three parts, such as a Vigil
Service (Wake), Funeral Liturgy, and the Rite of Committal (Burial or
Interment). During the Catholic Funerals, priests are brought who further administer
all the rites and the Holy Communion to the passing person. In most of the
regions, the priests wear black, white or violet vestments during the whole
ceremony.
In the process of administering the last rites, vigil or
wake is a service that is usually held in the evening before the funeral. In
this, family, friends, near & dear ones gathered at the home of the
deceased to pray & remember the departed soul. Here, a priest or deacon
leads the prayers & traditions with the help of a layperson, who has
complete knowledge of its every aspect.
