Funeral Beliefs and Customs of the Early Christians, Germans, and Scandinavians Flashcards
These two people had a multigrave chamber and claimed the body of Jesus Christ against the wishes of Sanherdin
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemous
Christ preached this about treatment of human beings
The infinite and equal value of every human being
The soul was both spiritual and immortal, meaning that
no soul could be totally destroyed
Christ promised the resurrection of a glorified body and preached this
the body was the temple of the holy spirit
Who officially prohibited cremation?
Constantine the Great
These allowed cremation of Roman Catholics
Canon Laws
Canon Laws allowed cremation of Roman Catholics as long as the intention was
Other than the denial of the resurrection of the body and Christian burial is permitted for the remains
This concept was a doctrine that in death all mean are equal, and that eternal rewards are not assigned according to earthly rank
Equality in death
Whose concepts did Christians reject?
Egyptian, Greek, and Roman
What Egyptian, Greek, and Roman concept did Christians reject?
Aristocratic afterlife based on discrimination
Etymology of cemetery means this
Sleeping place
How did Christians view death?
Sleep
To bury the dead was one of these
Seven corporal works of mercy
Even during this time, Christians were buried
During the 3rd century bubonic plague
Among early Christians, who administered to the dying and took charge of the dead?
The women of the family
Preparation of the body in Early Christian customs, done by women, includes
Closing mouth and eyes and washing the body
Anointing the body with oils and spices
Clothing the deceased in white
The sacrament of preparation used by a priest is known as
Extreme Unction
Canon Law required that the Christian Wake had what?
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
Where were early Christian’s buried?
On consecrated ground
What was usually viewed at the wake?
The face
Why was the face viewed at the wake?
The Kiss of Death
How long would the wake last?
from 8 hours to 3 days
What are the two purposes of the Early Christian wake?
Give time for family to adjust to life without the loved one
Guaranteed against the fear of being buried alive
At what time was the Early Christian procession held?
During the day
What was the Early Christian procession made up of?
Corpse, Bier bearers, family, and friends
After the era of persecution, what was included in the service?
A funeral oration honoring the deceased’s merits
These were given in the form of food and money were given to the poor
Alms
Public prayers for the salvation of the deceased soul
Purgatorial Doctrine
Certain days were held to remember the dead, i.e. All Saints Day
Memorial Requim Masses
When did catacombs originate?
In the tombs of the wealthy Christians prior to persecution
During persecution, what were the catacombs used for?
Hiding places for Christian population
These commemorated publicly and solemnly the death of martyrs who were murdered for their religious beliefs
Great Religious Feast Days
What are the three distinct parts of the Christian burial?
Levatio Corporis
Requiem Mass
Committal Service
What is a Levatio Corporis
The wake of an unembalmed body in the family’s home
What did a Requiem Mass consist of?
Conveying the body on a bier to church
What did the Committal service consist of?
Rites of burial in a Christian cemetery, usually intramural
Grave site must be consecrated
These were formed by the poor to defray funeral costs, and combined social functions with funeral functions
Burial Clubs
What were burial clubs known for?
Bawdiness
Under whom did the church state bureaucracy assume the responsibility for funeralizing the dead?
Constantine the Great
Who, under Constantine the Great, had total control of the funeralization of the dead?
The Decani
Under the Decani, what were the funeral customs?
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
What was included in the Decani funeral procession?
One crucifier/Cross Bearer
Eight Monks
Three Acolytes
By what year was the basic orientation toward death and the dead in the western world was set
400 AD
What were the two reasons that Germans and Scandinavians practiced cremation?
To keep spirits of the dead from harming the living
To free the spirit of the dead from the clogging prison of the dead
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
Viking Ship Burial
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
Suttee
In this custom, the deceased were placed on a pile of wood and burned
Funeral Pyre
