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Funeral Customs Of Different Christian Beliefs

By Anne Gable


Christians believe that God will judge people at their death. Those who have been righteous have their place in heaven, while the sinners will go to hell. There are Christians who also believe in purgatory, a place where those who have done forgivable sins go before they're admitted to heaven. In funerals, Christians gather to grieve for the lost of their beloved. They also give thanks for and celebrate the life the dead had on earth. There are many denominations of the Christian faith, with each one practicing slightly various funeral customs from the next.

For example, Catholic Christians keep a vigil for the deceased prior to the funeral. A vigil is a service of homilies, prayers, and songs. Funerals can be held in a church, in a funeral parlour, or at the house of the departed. Catholic funerals may also conduct a procession to the church or the burial site from the funeral home.

Protestant Christians, on the other hand, have similar funeral practices. There are differences as well, depending on the denomination of the Protestantism faith. The funeral service generally takes place within 3 days of the death at a church or at the funeral home. Visitors usually contribute to the service by offering flowers and food. Many Protestant funerals are formal and quiet events, though playing of worship music is allowed.

The variations in Christian funeral practices can also depend upon the traditions of a country. In Singapore, Christians generally hold funeral wakes at an HDB block where the dead had resided or their family resides or in a funeral home. Some funeral for Christians Singapore traditions observe the protocols of Protestantism or Catholic traditions, but Singapore traditions are usually also incorporated in the funeral.

Christian funerals, simillar to funeral services of other religions, are held with reverence for the dead in mind. A priest or a minister officiates the mass or ceremony, and the wake is normally held within 3 to 7 days after the death. Christian funerals are normally sombre affairs, but some sects support a joyful celebration to celebrate the life of the deceased lived. Visitors often offer assistance in the form of money or in kind. They are even encouraged to offer flowers, refreshments, or, if applicable, donations to the chosen charity of the departed's family.




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