Lesson 5: Types of Funerals and Special Circumstances Protocols

Question 1

different types of funerals?

Answer 1

Traditional, Memorial, Celebration of Life, Graveside

Question 2

main aspects of a traditional service

Answer 2

viewing/visitation, the service, the procession to the cemetery, the reception

Question 3

Traditional Funeral Service

Answer 3

Visitation (viewing)/prayers with embalmed body present, disposition (either burial or cremation), religious service, committal service at cemetery, reception back at church.

Question 4

what does the catholic religion call a traditional service

Answer 4

mass of the Christian burial

Question 5

Memorial Service

Answer 5

no body or urn present, disposition may have already taken place (cremation or burial), in chapel or hall with reception immediately after, family will process in and out, has celebrant or clergy, does not take place immediately after death.

Question 6

Celebration of Life

Answer 6

non-religious, may or may not be a body or urn present, committal, about individual and their accomplishments.

Question 7

Graveside Service

Answer 7

done entirely at cemetery, keep in mind weather, may need to bring chairs, tent, microphone, etc.

Question 8

Sander

Answer 8

brass or bronze vial containing fine sand, used to make cross on casket when clergy says “dust to dust, ashes to ashes”. unprofessional to use anything except a sander, ex. old pill container

Question 9

Fraternal Societies

Answer 9

Knights of Columbus (K of C) & Catholic Women’s League (CWL), Masons (Freemasonry) & Order of the Eastern Star, Independent Order of Oddfellows (IIOF) & Rebekah’s, Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), other community charitable organizations such as Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kinsmen/Kinettes.

Question 10

Knights of Columbus Principles

Answer 10

Virtues of loyalty, charity, courtesy, and modesty. Catholic faith and charitable organization to provide for Catholic families who had lost their breadwinner.

Question 11

Catholic Women’s League Principles

Answer 11

spiritual development of members, promoting Christian values, representing Catholic women and their views on various topics as well as planning and executing religious, charitable, and community activities.

Question 12

Masons (Freemasonry) Principles

Answer 12

emphasis on self-improvement, personal study, and social betterments, not tied to specific religion, founded orphanages, hospitals, schools, and homes for the aged.

Question 13

worshipful master

Answer 13

elected leader of the Masons

Question 14

Order of the Eastern Star (Female counterpart to Masons) Principles

Answer 14

modelled on teachings of bible but no specific church affiliation

Question 15

Independent Order of Oddfellows (IIOF) & Rebekah’s Principles

Answer 15

Friendship, Love, & Truth, modelled after Judeo-Christian ethics, promotes reciprocity, and charity, Christian fraternity. Visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, and educate the orphan. Improve character of mankind, help make the world a better place, encourage goodwill and harmony, and promote a fraternal fellowship towards men and women without discrimination or violence.

Question 16

Royal Canadian Legion Principles

Answer 16

Largest veteran support and community service organization in Canada. Advocate for veteran soldiers, including RCMP members, to receive the proper care and benefits they need and deserve.

Question 17

Regimental Funerals

Answer 17

for RCMP officers who have died in the line of duty or who have died after being afforded special distinction, must be approved by the commanding officer and commissioner’s office. The family of the deceased is given some choices that are not specific to the RCMP but the funeral will still have aspects that remain in order to maintain ceremony and symbolism .These are things such as the last post being played, a horseless rider with boots backwards in the stirrups walking in the procession to symbolize the opposite of life being death. A three round volley at graveside can be discharged if approved by the family, and the family has the freedom to choose the type and place of disposition, as well as their religious and culture will always be respected, large procession, pageantry and traditions used as symbols of respect such as the flag being flown at half mast for the service. The funeral home’s role is more as a coordinator for some communication with the family when it does not relate to the RCMP’s plannings, and to help with rehearsals and assist with whatever they’re asked to do. The funeral home will organize disposition as per the families wishes but not the planning of the service itself. The funeral homes role is small in planning but there is a formal structure that the funeral home can help maintain. The person who helps with coordinating he funeral becomes the “funeral coordinator” and is the contact at the funeral home for any questions or concerns.

Question 18

State Funerals

Answer 18

technically anyone could be approved for a state funeral because it is determined by the Cabinet, typically only approved for prominent Canadians such as the Prime Minister, Cabinet members who have died while serving in office, the Governor General, etc. the family has the ultimate say in whether or not the funeral will be a state funeral Funeral homes have even less of a role, purely functional- for example the funeral home may only set up the disposition. Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH) will work with the deceased’s family to plan the funeral while the funeral home strictly follows the protocol provided by the DCH. flag will be flown at half mast in Ottawa and for 5-6 days, almost the entire thing is pre-set and not much is left up to the family, before a state funeral the body is transported to Ottawa and lays in state for 2 days then when being escorted out a gun salute is fired- with the amount of shots corresponding to the role the deceased had in government, after that the body is either transported to the Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa or elsewhere.

Question 19

Military Repatriation

Answer 19

return to country of origin, full of dignity, respect, honor, and ceremony, does not include funeral home until body has been flown back to Canada and autopsy has been completed at the Ontario Coroner’s Office. Deceased returned to Canada on military aircraft, ramp ceremony done at the airfield, plane lands at CFB Trenton, repatriage ceremony conducted there, hearse drives 172km to Coroners office down the “Highway of Heroes”. Assisting Officer (AO) appointed to act as a liaison between Canadian Forces and the family to help plan, are available 24hrs a day. Interment up to family but the deceased is eligible for burial in the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces in Ottawa.