Funeral Beliefs and Customs of the Early Christians, Germans, and Scandinavians

Question 1

These two people had a multigrave chamber and claimed the body of Jesus Christ against the wishes of Sanherdin

Answer 1

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemous

Question 2

Christ preached this about treatment of human beings

Answer 2

The infinite and equal value of every human being

Question 3

The soul was both spiritual and immortal, meaning that

Answer 3

no soul could be totally destroyed

Question 4

Christ promised the resurrection of a glorified body and preached this

Answer 4

the body was the temple of the holy spirit

Question 5

Who officially prohibited cremation?

Answer 5

Constantine the Great

Question 6

These allowed cremation of Roman Catholics

Answer 6

Canon Laws

Question 7

Canon Laws allowed cremation of Roman Catholics as long as the intention was

Answer 7

Other than the denial of the resurrection of the body and Christian burial is permitted for the remains

Question 8

This concept was a doctrine that in death all mean are equal, and that eternal rewards are not assigned according to earthly rank

Answer 8

Equality in death

Question 9

Whose concepts did Christians reject?

Answer 9

Egyptian, Greek, and Roman

Question 10

What Egyptian, Greek, and Roman concept did Christians reject?

Answer 10

Aristocratic afterlife based on discrimination

Question 11

Etymology of cemetery means this

Answer 11

Sleeping place

Question 12

How did Christians view death?

Answer 12

Sleep

Question 13

To bury the dead was one of these

Answer 13

Seven corporal works of mercy

Question 14

Even during this time, Christians were buried

Answer 14

During the 3rd century bubonic plague

Question 15

Among early Christians, who administered to the dying and took charge of the dead?

Answer 15

The women of the family

Question 16

Preparation of the body in Early Christian customs, done by women, includes

Answer 16

Closing mouth and eyes and washing the body
Anointing the body with oils and spices
Clothing the deceased in white

Question 17

The sacrament of preparation used by a priest is known as

Answer 17

Extreme Unction

Question 18

Canon Law required that the Christian Wake had what?

Answer 18

Lights at the head and feet
Body blessed with holy water and incense
A cross placed upon the breast or, absent a cross, the hands should be folded

Question 19

Where were early Christian’s buried?

Answer 19

On consecrated ground

Question 20

What was usually viewed at the wake?

Answer 20

The face

Question 21

Why was the face viewed at the wake?

Answer 21

The Kiss of Death

Question 22

How long would the wake last?

Answer 22

from 8 hours to 3 days

Question 23

What are the two purposes of the Early Christian wake?

Answer 23

Give time for family to adjust to life without the loved one

Guaranteed against the fear of being buried alive

Question 24

At what time was the Early Christian procession held?

Answer 24

During the day

Question 25

What was the Early Christian procession made up of?

Answer 25

Corpse, Bier bearers, family, and friends

Question 26

After the era of persecution, what was included in the service?

Answer 26

A funeral oration honoring the deceased’s merits

Question 27

These were given in the form of food and money were given to the poor

Answer 27

Alms

Question 28

Public prayers for the salvation of the deceased soul

Answer 28

Purgatorial Doctrine

Question 29

Certain days were held to remember the dead, i.e. All Saints Day

Answer 29

Memorial Requim Masses

Question 30

When did catacombs originate?

Answer 30

In the tombs of the wealthy Christians prior to persecution

Question 31

During persecution, what were the catacombs used for?

Answer 31

Hiding places for Christian population

Question 32

These commemorated publicly and solemnly the death of martyrs who were murdered for their religious beliefs

Answer 32

Great Religious Feast Days

Question 33

What are the three distinct parts of the Christian burial?

Answer 33

Levatio Corporis
Requiem Mass
Committal Service

Question 34

What is a Levatio Corporis

Answer 34

The wake of an unembalmed body in the family’s home

Question 35

What did a Requiem Mass consist of?

Answer 35

Conveying the body on a bier to church

Question 36

What did the Committal service consist of?

Answer 36

Rites of burial in a Christian cemetery, usually intramural

Grave site must be consecrated

Question 37

These were formed by the poor to defray funeral costs, and combined social functions with funeral functions

Answer 37

Burial Clubs

Question 38

What were burial clubs known for?

Answer 38

Bawdiness

Question 39

Under whom did the church state bureaucracy assume the responsibility for funeralizing the dead?

Answer 39

Constantine the Great

Question 40

Who, under Constantine the Great, had total control of the funeralization of the dead?

Answer 40

The Decani

Question 41

Under the Decani, what were the funeral customs?

Answer 41

Even the poorest would receive a decent burial
Law were passed to prevent overcharging
A bier would be provided
All would have a funeral procession

Question 42

What was included in the Decani funeral procession?

Answer 42

One crucifier/Cross Bearer
Eight Monks
Three Acolytes

Question 43

By what year was the basic orientation toward death and the dead in the western world was set

Answer 43

400 AD

Question 44

What were the two reasons that Germans and Scandinavians practiced cremation?

Answer 44

To keep spirits of the dead from harming the living

To free the spirit of the dead from the clogging prison of the dead

Question 45

During this custom, the pagan warrior was placed on his ship with his treasure, concubines or wives, weapons, food and drink, horse, and any other domestic pets and then set afire

Answer 45

Viking Ship Burial

Question 46

A similar practice to the Teutonic tribes were practiced in Ancient India, that is cremation with the deceased wives, concubines, and other key necessities for a happy afterlife

Answer 46

Suttee

Question 47

In this custom, the deceased were placed on a pile of wood and burned

Answer 47

Funeral Pyre