How to Behave at a Catholic Funeral

People of the Catholic faith believe that the physical body will be resurrected at Judgment Day and prefer burial to cremation so that their remains stay intact. Catholic funerals often follow the same format as a mass, with the addition of specific readings. However

Instructions

1. Prepare to view the body of the deceased. Usually, there is a wake held at a funeral home in which you can view the body and express your condolences to the family. In some churches, the casket may be left open during the funeral service. However, this is rare.

2. Follow the movements. Catholics cross themselves and slightly genuflect towards the altar as they enter the church. Throughout the funeral service, they sit, stand, kneel and sit again at set moments. There is usually a kneeler across each pew to soften the impact on your knees.

3. Refrain from taking communion. Baptized Catholics stand and file up to the front of the church to receive the body and blood of Christ in the form of a wafer and a sip of wine or a wafer made with wine. You can either remain seated, or you can walk with your line and stand aside at the end of the pew. Return to your seat after everyone else has filed past you.

4. Send flowers if you like. Catholics also purchase prayer cards, which are typically on hand at the funeral home. If you arrive early to the church, you can light a votive memorial candle displayed somewhere in the building. A donation is expected when you light a candle, and the donation box is usually attached to the front of the candle rack.