religious funeral stuff Flashcards
chancel
the portion of the church surrounding the altar, usually enclosing the clergy; area behind the altar or communion rail
narthex
the entry way into a church, funeral establishment or other public building; entrance hall
nave
the seating or auditorium section of a church
rubrics
in liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination
sanctuary
part of the church surrounding the altar, inside the chancel
transepts
wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptism, weddings, and even small funeral services (makes a cross/the T)
vestments
ritual garments worn by the clergy
archbishop
in the roman catholic faith, head of an archdiocese
bishop
leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination; in the roman catholic faith, the head of a diocese; in the Mormons, they are a leader of a single congregation
cardinal
in the roman catholic faith, bishops who have the right to participate in a papal election
celebrant
person who is designs and officiates a personalized ceremony or rite; the officiant who celebrates the mass in the roman catholic church
christian burial certificate
a letter or form form a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for burial in a roman catholic cemetery
christian wake *
the prayer service for the christian wake is a service now used instead of the rosary or funeral mass. it may be held in a location other than the church
cross
christian symbol without the corpus
crucifix
a cross with a figure or image representing the body of christ (corpus)
crucifer (crossbearer)
one who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession
diocese
in the roman catholic faith, a geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a bishop
eucharist
the consecrated elements of holy communion
final commendation (libera)
in the roman catholic faith, the ending portion of the funeral mass
funeral mass
name of the funeral service in the roman catholic church; formerly called the mass of christian burial
genuflect
the act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility
IHS *
the first three greek letters of the word for jesus
INRI *
an abbreviated latin term meaning “jesus of nazareth, king of jews”
mass card
of the written request for a mass for a specific intention
monsignor
an honorary title conferred upon a roman catholic priest
pall
a symbolic cloth placed over the casket
paschal candle
in the roman catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the funeral mass that signifies the everlasting light of christ
pope
the head of the roman catholic faith and bishop of rome
priest
a title conferred to clergy upon ordination in various religions
prie dieu
a small bench placed in front of the casket or urn to allow a person to kneel for prayer
requiem candles *
the three candles which are placed on each side of the casket. the paschal candle should replace these; however, in some areas they are still being used
ritual of anointing (sacrament of sick)
in the roman catholic faith, a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity
rosary beads
a chain of adjoining beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers
rosary prayers
a series of prayers in the roman catholic faith
rosary service
a service at which rosary prayers are recited
scapular
in the roman catholic faith, a piece of cloth or a medal having religious significance usually worn around the neck
superior *
a position held by the woman in charge of the convent or order of nuns
wake
historically, a watch kept over the deceased; an all night vigil
wake service (vigil)
a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral establishment the evening before the funeral
aron
hebrew meaning container; a casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts
cantor
a religious singer who assists the clergy; one who assists the rabbi in the jewish faith; also in the eastern orthodox faith
Chevrah Kadisha
hebrew meaning “holy society”; a group of men or women who take care for the dead; they may be referred to by laymen as “washers”
hesped
a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that is part of a jewish funeral