The ritual at the place of internment can go one of two ways:
205. Two forms of the rite of committal are provided here: “Rite of Committal” and “Rite of Committal with Final commendation.” The first form is used when the final commendation is celebrated as part of the conclusion of the funeral liturgy. The second form is used when the final commendation does not take place during the funeral liturgy or when no funeral liturgy precedes the committal rite.
Most of the time, form one will be used. When might a family and/or pastor decide to move the final commendation from the funeral liturgy? Possibly when the burial takes place at a different location (with different people, perhaps) or when there is a significant time in between the funeral and the internment or burial. Now that cremation is more mainstream in the pastoral experience, an old option isn’t used as much: having the funeral with the body, then cremating the remains afterward. Form 2 might be a useful consideration if that still takes place. Ultimately, the decision rides on what is pastorally superior for the mourners. Thoughts?
14 November 2010 at 4:51 pm
In the North Country, where burial grounds get snowed and frozen under for months in midwinter, burials often are delayed until late winter or early spring.