Catholic Beliefs
Catholics believe there is an afterlife and that once a person dies, they will see God face to face. If a person has committed a sin and has not confessed their sins before death, then they believe that person will not enter into heaven.
Preparing
Sick and elderly people can receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as often as they wish. If they can’t get to church on their own, they will be taken there by other members of the church or a priest may visit them atin their home.
The body
When someone is close to death, family or friends will ask the local Catholic priest to come and pray with the sick person and administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.This includes anointing the person with holy oils and the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. After the person has passed away, the priest will comfort the family and help them prepare the funeral arrangements.
Catholic funerals
The Catholic funeral rite is called the Order of Christian Funerals. Family and friends pray for the soul of the deceased person and ask God to receive their soul into his eternal glory. The Vigil of the Deceased (a prayer service) is held on the night before the funeral. On the day of the funeral, a Requiem Mass for the deceased person is celebrated which includes scripture, prayers and hymns. Family and friends are invited to take part in the service.
Catholic burials
The Rite of Committal is celebrated at the grave or place where the body has been entombed. Family members and friends, along with the priest pray for the deceased person as they commit the body or cremated remains to their final resting-place. The gravesite is also blessed.
After death
Over the next year family and friends often attend Mass celebrating the peace of the soul of the deceased person. On special occasions such as the deceased’s birthday, Christmas or anniversary of the death, family and friends will often visit the grave. Flowers or other objects to remember the deceased are sometimes placed on the grave as a sign of respect.
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