Liturgies
Rites of the Order of Christian Funerals, the Three Rites
The Rite of Commital
The act of committal takes place either during the rite or at its conclusion to express the full meaning of the rite: that the grave, once a sign of despair, is now, through Christ's own death and resurrection, a sign of hope and promise (OCF, 209).
This rite has two forms, the rite of committal or the rite of committal with the final commendation. The minister follows this latter form when the final commendation does not take place during the funeral liturgy or when no funeral liturgy precedes the committal rite. (OCF, 205). (See above, on the final commendation.) A hymn or liturgical song may be used at the conclusion of the rite to affirm our hope in God's mercy and in the resurrection of the dead (OCF, 214). The rite allows for some gesture of final leave-taking; e.g., placing flowers or soil on the coffin (OCF, 210).
The minister may expand the rite for pastoral reasons; e.g., if the funeral liturgy has taken place either on a previous day or in a different community (OCF, 211). Should the final disposition of the body be delayed for some time, then there may be two celebrations of the rite of committal, one on the day of the funeral liturgy, the second on the day of the actual burial or interment. Reasons for such a delay could be weather, cremation, or a body donated to science.
In the absence of a priest or deacon, a layperson should lead those present in the rite of committal. The layperson may wear an alb.
The rite has special forms for the committal of ashes and for burial at sea (OCF, 406).
Rite of Committal (204-233) (At the gravesite or columbarium)
- Invitation
- Scripture Verse or Reading
- Prayer over the Place of Committal
Committal
- Intercessions
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Concluding Prayer
- Prayer over the People
