Funerals throughout the world are performed by following various customs, rites and rituals. Funeral offers an opportunity to the family of the deceased person to pray for his soul and learn to cope with their loss and sorrow.

Christian funerals are governed by the Church rules. However, there are over 200 different Christian denominations and communities that have their own different practices and customs relating to the funeral service.

An important ritual of a Christian funeral, known as wake, is the very first ritual that is performed before the actual funeral and involves a nightly watch over the dead person and recital of Biblical psalms for the peace of his soul. As per the present day customs, this is when the family and acquaintances pay a last visit to the dead person and offer their final respects. The body is properly preserved and kept either in a Church or at the home, and the time is specified. In olden days, the dead person used to be absolved of his sins of his earthly existence by performing the ritual of absolution after wake. This included placing a cross on the departed’s body and offertory in the casket, where presents were kept.

Next comes the actual ceremony, which starts with the transportation of the deceased’s body to the Church in a hearse and is succeeded by chanting of hymns and prayers from the Bible. Then, the priest calls upon a friend or family member to give a eulogy or tribute to the departed’s life. Some of the communities follow this by a ritual of tolling of the bells, marking the end of the service. After the funeral service, the casket is taken to the burial place where before burying there is a burial service conducted.

Lastly, funeral services need a lunch gathering to be organized after the burial service. The main objective of this custom is to share the grief of the family and help them deal and come to terms with the loss.