Christian Funeral Traditions

Christian funerals may vary depending on denomination, but they include a few rites we cover in our article:

• The Wake

• At the Church

• Ceremony at the Graveside

• Mourning Period

The Wake
The wake, based on the ancient custom of watching the dead, usually happens at a funeral home. The family decides whether the casket is open or closed, and mourners have a chance to pay their final respects. Sometimes there are prayers offered at the wake, sometimes music.

At the Church
Most Christian funerals include at minimum a prayer service, but some denominations have a more formal tradition, such as the Requiem Mass for Catholics of the Divine Liturgy for Orthodox. Family members sometimes use this service as a place to deliver a eulogy, in some traditions this happens at the graveside ceremony or even afterward.

Ceremony at the Graveside
After the church, the body is transported to the grave, where the burial plot or tomb is blessed. A prayer is usually offered, and after the casket is lowered into the grave, mourners put a flower in the grave or sprinkle dirt on the casket as a final farewell. Depending on the time of the burial, there is sometimes a meal afterward where mourners can share stories about the deceased.

Mourning Period
In more traditional Christian denominations, such as Eastern Orthodox, a forty day mourning period is observed.