NBE Funeral Directing Practice Exam

What is the name given to the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church?

1. Funeral Service

2. Funeral Liturgy

3. Funeral Rites

4. Funeral Procession

The correct answer is: Funeral Liturgy

In the Roman Catholic Church, the term "Funeral Liturgy" specifically refers to the structured service that incorporates prayers, scriptures, and rituals reflecting the beliefs of the Church about death and resurrection. This liturgy consists of various elements, including the Vigil Service, the Funeral Mass, and the Committal Service. During these services, the community gathers to remember and honor the deceased, while also expressing the hope of eternal life, which is a central tenet of Catholic faith. This answer is particularly relevant because the term "liturgy" implies a communal worship experience, emphasizing the public and sacramental dimensions of the service. It denotes not just the act of honoring the deceased but also the theological understanding and communal participation in the rites surrounding death, which are essential in the Catholic tradition. The other choices, while related to funerals, do not capture the specific and formal nature of the service in the Catholic context. “Funeral Service” is a more generic term and could apply to various denominational practices. “Funeral Rites” is broader and encompasses all rituals surrounding death, not limited to the Catholic perspective. “Funeral Procession” refers specifically to the movement of the body from one place to another, rather than the complete