Writing a funeral scene. Am familiar only with Jewish funerals. What happens, graveside, at a Catholic funeral? Prayers? How is the casket carried, and covered with dirt? Any specific rituals I should know about? If any knows particularly what happens at a Catholic funeral in France this would be even more helpful.
posted by Wittamer on Jun 23, 2009 - 20 answers

My wife's sister died, and I've been asked to be a pallbearer. What should I know? Of what customs, rituals, or traditions should I be aware? Any tips I should know? The family is Chinese, the service will be Catholic. (I am neither.)
posted by anonymous on Mar 5, 2009 - 24 answers

The father of a close business associate has died and I would like to behave appropriately and honor my associate's loss. They're Catholics in NYC. There is a wake which seems to be scheduled for several different time periods over the weekend. Then there is a funeral mass on Monday during business hours, followed by burial at the cemetery. [more inside]
posted by JimN2TAW on Nov 16, 2007 - 20 answers

I'm attending a Catholic funeral in a couple of days. I'm not Catholic. I know that I shouldn't take communion or recite the Nicene Creed, but what about the rest of the service? Do I stand and kneel when everybody else does, or do I stay seated? What's the proper etiquette for the whole affair?
posted by waldo on Apr 2, 2006 - 42 answers