More and more people are opting for an eco-friendly burial. The biggest way to transform a funeral into a green funeral is the casket—a biodegradable casket that does not harm the environment.
One of the best coffins for a natural burial is a wicker casket. To find out what it is made of, how much it is, and where to buy one, we have gathered everything you need to know about popular and environmental-friendly wicker coffins.
We know it’s very hard to find online sellers that offer wicker caskets—much less at a reasonable price. If you want to skip to the recommendation, we review Titan Casket and alternatives later in the article.
Note: In this article, we use the word “casket” and “coffin” interchangeably. To find out how their meanings differ, you can read more about coffins vs caskets.
What Is a Wicker Casket?
A wicker casket is a burial coffin made of woven materials, most commonly willow, seagrass, and bamboo. Unlike a traditional-looking coffin made of solid wood or metal, wicker caskets resemble a basket with natural-looking finishes.
Trivia:Wicker is actually not a material. It is an ancient weaving technique of making products from plant materials. In fact, it is considered the oldest furniture-making technique, dating back to Ancient Egypt (using reed, cane, and rattan).
Wicker from reed, cane, rattan, and other materials has been used over the centuries to make all sorts of different things.
Wicker coffins are usually handmade. Moreover, their source materials do not need heavy machinery for harvesting. Because of this, wicker caskets have a minimal carbon footprint.
Although they is biodegradable, wicker caskets are rigid and sturdy. They are also strong and can carry up to 330 lbs / 150 kg in weight.
Lastly, wicker caskets are absolutely suitable for viewings and ceremonies. The natural-looking finish make them a presentable and beautiful final resting place for your loved one.
Types of Wicker Coffins
There are usually three types of wicker caskets to choose from:
Bamboo
Seagrass
Willow
Banana Leaf
Banana leaf wicker caskets are the least common.
Willow Caskets
Source: Natural Woven Coffins
This is the most common variant of a wicker casket. Willow is a sustainable material; a single strand can grow for up to 8 feet in length. Moreover, one can harvest a willow from the same crown for up to sixty years.
Bamboo Coffins
Source: Passages International
Bamboo coffins are handcrafted from a highly renewable material. In fact, bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. It can grow for up to 3-4 feet a day. This makes bamboo coffins the most sustainable casket option.
Please note the picture above makes bamboo coffin appear boxy and square. Though some are, you’re just as likely to see bamboo coffins with rounded designs similar to the following picture of the seagrass casket.
Seagrass Casket
Source: Natural Endings
Seagrass caskets are made of an abundant source material found underwater. Usually, the seagrass is wound into rope and then woven into the casket. The finished product is a casket with a natural finish and a beautiful color of cream and light brown.
What Are the Benefits Of a Wicker Coffin?
A wicker casket has its fair share of advantages. Overall, it is:
Eco-friendly
Available in various styles and colors
Extremely affordable
Eco-Friendly
The best and most obvious benefit of using a wicker casket is that it will return to the environment. It will decompose in the soil much faster than standard types of caskets.
Even compared to wood, it will decompose much faster because of its material and increased surface area.
Willow coffins are available in a variety of designs, styles, and shapes. They are also available in a wide range of colors.
You can add a personal touch to a wicker casket. For instance, you can add a flower arrangement. Flowers resting on top of the casket are called casket sprays. It can also decorated according to your loved one’s personality.
Price (Very Affordable)
Other than the benefit of potentially saving the planet, using wicker caskets also promise an economic advantage. That is, you can save a lot of money by buying wicker coffins rather than traditional caskets.
One course, reported by ITV, teaches students how to build their own wicker caskets, a process that is commonly (and effectively) used as a grieving process. Or you can build your own and use it as a bookshelf or other decoration, decades before you…well, really need it.
According to this Do It Green study, the whole package of a green funeral (which typically uses a biodegradable casket such as wicker) ranges from $2,500 to $4,000. This may seem a lot but when you compare it to the average cost of a traditional burial, which is $7,640, a funeral that uses a wicker coffin is much cheaper.
How Much Is A Wicker Casket?
I’ve seen prices as low as $300 USD, but most are higher. If you purchase a wicker casket, expect a number around $1,650. However, most options fall between $1,100 and $1,800. This will vary depending on the size of the casket, its design, and whether the materials are sourced locally or from overseas.
We review the best place to buy wicker caskets later in the article.
Technical Disclaimer: These estimates have been complied from extensive general price list sampling and regional and national pricing studies, including publicly available data provided by the NFDA. in Valhalla does not imply nor guarantee any caskets will be available from any seller at any of the estimated prices.
Where Can I Buy A Wicker Coffin?
There are three options: the funeral home, online retailers, or local businesses. The latter is unlikely, so we will focus on the first two.
Note: The Funeral Rule states you can purchase caskets from anywhere and your local funeral home must accept the casket without charging an acceptance or delivery fee. The also cannot require you to be present for delivery.
Funeral Home
You can check with your funeral provider if they offer wicker caskets. In preparing for a funeral service, usually, the funeral director will give you a General Price List first before showing you the available caskets. Make sure to tell the funeral director that you are specifically interested in a wicker casket, as wicker caskets are not commonly displayed in showrooms.
Online
The best option is to purchase a wicker casket online. When we first published this article in late 2019, we could not find a single retailer in the United States who sold direct to consumers. However, our favorite online casket seller now offers wicker caskets! Really, we recommend Titan Casket for almost all types of caskets.
We like them for many reasons, including great prices, quality products, free shipping, and extremely simple purchasing process.
These products have an option of 6′ 5″ or 5′ 9″ (that’s six feet five inches or five feet nine inches). If you are uncertain which to choose, read our guide to oversized caskets.
Titan Casket’s wicker caskets are suitable for wakes, viewing, cremation. They are certified Fair Trade and eco-friendly (decomposable). Read more about sustainability in their product descriptions.
Buying caskets online ensures that you have a wide variety to choose from. (Read our buyer’s guide to casket prices to compare options.) You can also make sure if they offer 100% natural and biodegradable caskets by checking the product details thoroughly, as well as reviewing the certifications that they have.
For readers in the UK, we recommend you investigate the Coffin Company, a UK-based business with a wide selection of green caskets for both burial and cremation.
Another option for residents of the UK is Sussex Willow Coffins. They create hand crafted eco-friendly coffins and sell wholesale and directly to consumers. Hand woven at a small workshop in the heart of the Sussex countryside, these wicker caskets are certified for cremation (by FFMA) as well as being well suited to natural burial and green funerals.
The Green Burial Council recommends Passage International, Inc. as a certified distributor. Unfortunately, they do not sell directly to consumers. If your local funeral home offers Passage International caskets, it are a great choice.
A green burial honors the idea of decomposition and allowing the body return to nature. That is, “ashes to ashes and dust to dust.”
Green burials are minimalistic, using as few (sustainable) resources as possible. This is in contrast to the conventional burials that make use of highly sophisticated caskets made of expensive wood or precious metals.
Before the 20th century, caskets were usually just plain wooden boxes. Now, they have become fully-manufactured and elaborate caskets made of expensive materials.
The very same cycle that caused individuals to move away from the finality of death—to add pillows, lining, and other decorations to make it looked as if the deceased were sleeping—has looped around as more and more people find the idea of using an expensive coffin for only a short term as wasteful.
In response, more and more people choose caskets that are sustainable and environment-friendly. Wicker caskets, pine box caskets, burial shrouds, and cardboard caskets are all great choices.
Trivia:In 2019, the NFDA conducted a Consumer Awareness and Preferences Study and found that over half (51.6%) of respondents said that they would be interested in “green” funeral options because of their environmental and cost-saving benefits.
Cremation
Wicker caskets can also be used in cremation. You can learn more about the different types of cremation caskets and why wicker qualifies.
FAQ
Can I use a wicker casket for cremation?
Yes. Wicker caskets are suitable for cremation because it does not have metallic components and they is easily combustible.
Are wicker caskets cheaper than wooden caskets?
Yes. Wicker caskets are generally cheaper because they are made of low-cost materials compared to wooden coffins. Some wooden coffins are from pricey hardwood like oak and mahogany. However, some wooden caskets that are plain like a simple pine box can be just as cheap as a wicker casket.
What is a wicker coffin?
A wicker coffin is a casket made of woven materials such as bamboo, willow, or seagrass. Though some wicker furniture is also made from cane, reeds, and rattan, these materials are rarely used in coffins.
Can I be buried in a wicker casket?
Yes. You can be buried in a cemetery that allows for natural burial. Most do, but you should take note that all cemeteries will have their own policies. With this, it is best to contact the cemetery operators beforehand.
How much does a wicker casket cost?
If you purchase a wicker casket, it’ll probably be about $1,650. Most options fall between $1100 and $1,800. This will vary depending on the size of the casket, its design, and whether the materials are sourced locally or from overseas.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
If you are looking for a simple, affordable, and eco-friendly coffin, a pine casket (or pine box) is your best option.
Here we have gathered everything you need to know about pine caskets: source material, price range, benefits, where you can buy one, and how you can make one yourself.
Note: In this article, we use the word “casket” and “coffin” interchangeably. To find out how their meanings differ, you can read this comprehensive article to caskets vs coffins.
What Is a Pine Casket?
A pine casket is a traditional and inexpensive option for coffins because of its plain design. These caskets are sourced from the wood of pine trees and are cheaper than coffins made of either wood and steel. Moreover, pine caskets have cultural significance for both religious and economic use.
Source Material
Wooden caskets have two different types: those made of softwood (where pine trees belong) and hardwood (the more expensive option).
Hardwood – This is the type of solid wood from flowering trees. It typically includes walnut, maple, and oak trees. Hardwood is usually heavyweight and harder than softwood.
Softwood – This comes from conifer and evergreen trees that produce cones needle-shaped leaves. Softwood trees include spruce and pine trees. This wood is generally lighter and softer compared to hardwood.
Caskets that are made of pine trees are generally less expensive because their wood type is common. Pine caskets usually have no exteriors, final coating, linings, and other accessories—as opposed to modern caskets that are elaborate, with metallic decorations and varnish.
If you want a more decorated casket that still has a wooden feel, read our article about caskets made from barn wood.
Why Choose a Pine Box Casket?
There are many benefits in using a pine casket for your funeral service. They include…
Low Cost
Environment-friendly
The one situation in which pine caskets are not best is if you plan to have a wake, viewing, or visitation. Compared to hardwood (even veneer) or steel caskets, even more expensive pine boxes are plain and stark.
A pine box is the perfect choice for you or your loved one if…
You do not prioritize the visual appearance of the coffin
You are looking for something simple and economical
Because pine caskets are wooden and relativity inexpensive, they are a popular choice to use as a cremation container. While it may be strange to think that you need a casket to be cremated, it is necessary to respectfully handle a body. They range from simple shrouds to caskets much more elaborate than pine boxes. Read the article to learn more.
A pine casket is cheap because it is made of inexpensive wood material. Other caskets such as ones made of mahogany, bronze, or copper can cost up to $10,000 (Federal Trade Commission).
Nicer pine coffins are almost always cheaper than even the plainest steel or hardwood coffins.
Notice the seam in the wood above (the one that divides the top panel into two halves). That is a half couch casket, which is uncommon for simpler pine caskets.
Pine caskets are now at the frontier of green and natural burial (one that is simple and environment-friendly). It is a great alternative to bedecked caskets that are mass-produced by large manufacturing plants.
Another great option for a green casket is wicker coffins.
According to the Green Burial Council, U.S. cemeteries consume over 20 million board feet of hardwood and 90,000 tons of steel for caskets alone each year. Adding to that, the manufacturing of burial vaults use up to 17,000 tons of steel and copper, as well as 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete.
“Traditional burial produces 250 lbs. of carbon, whereas green burial sequesters 25 lbs. of carbon.” (Green Burial Council)
“This assumes a 50 year life cycle of the plot, that traditional burial uses a concrete burial vault, and green burial has no maintenance (mowing, fertilizing, watering, etc.). To put this in context, this difference is equivalent to the carbon produced by an average American’s driving over a 3 month period.” (Green Burial Council)
Because pine caskets use fewer resources, they are more sustainable for the environment. Pine trees are also abundant in the U.S. and grow faster than alternative trees.
I’ll tell you what I really want — it’s very easy: Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. I want a plain pine box. No, not plywood with all the glue and formaldehyde. I want a plain wooden box, one that will return naturally to the soil, as I’d like to do…That’s the way I want to go — that’s the way I want to come back again — as nourishment for a beckoning flower.
For a basic pine casket, prices start around $500. From there, finishing touches—including interior lining, bedding, or any personalizing—all add to the price. Still, this is far cheaper than the average price of caskets which is a little more than $2,000.
Where to Buy Pine Caskets
You can buy caskets almost anywhere (or even build one yourself). As with all caskets, we recommend buying one online.
We recommend Titan Casket, if you can’t find a local option. We like them for many reasons, including great prices, quality products, free shipping, extremely easy purchasing process, and their caskets are made in the USA.
Titan’s Eco Series is suitable for green and Jewish funerals.
Though relatively new to the market, there are also more sophisticated pine boxes—half couch and absolutely suitable for a funeral service and viewing.
According to the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home cannot refuse a casket you bought elsewhere—may it be from a local casket store, an online shop, or anywhere else.
If you want the most convenient way to purchase a casket, this can be arranged by the funeral provider handling the burial services. However, funeral homes rarely display pine caskets. The best thing to do is to ask specifically for pine coffins.
They also cannot charge you any fee if you do so, or require you to be present upon the casket’s delivery to them.
Tip: More on The Funeral Rule, one of its provisions is that the funeral director is required to provide you a price list first before showing you the sample caskets. This helps you to choose according to your budget. This is also a good opportunity to ask to see the pine box first.
Local Woodworkers
Source: Huddle
By commissioning a local woodworker to make a simple pine casket, you can have it customized according to your liking.
Some casket-makers can add shelves to the coffin so it can be turned into a bookcase until its final use. Other woodworkers also make use of fallen trees and repurpose them accordingly.
Tapping a woodworker to build your casket gives you more freedom to choose the design, materials, and cost while also supporting your local community.
Online Retailers
You can freely buy caskets apart from the funeral provider. In this digital age, online retailers of caskets have become widespread. Even Costco and Walmart offer competitive prices for caskets.
A large number of website means you can browse online for pine coffins and check available options according to your budget. We recommend starting at Titan Caskets, specifically their pine offering. You can also have it directly shipped to your funeral home for your convenience.
Tip: Sometimes, a funeral provider will recommend you should be present when the coffin you bought elsewhere is delivered to the funeral home, adding that it is a precautionary measure for when a casket arrives with damages. This is unnecessary.
Double-check if the combined price of the casket you want to buy online and the delivery charges would still cost less than buying from a local casket retailer.
Do It Yourself (DIY)
You can always build a coffin yourself if you want to. You can search online for guides on how to build your own pine box from scratch. There are also DIY kits if you want more structure. They make it surprisingly easy assemble a pine casket of your own.
Many families find the process of building a casket is an effective way to grieve.
It was also during these times when funeral arrangements were straightforward and low-cost. The funeral took place at the home of the deceased. The majority of these plain handmade caskets were made of cheap pine. Times were simpler.
Culturally and historically, pine caskets are attributed to budget coffins that people use if they cannot afford a more expensive material.
Individuals looking to show off their wealth would have coffins made of yew or mahogany with ornate decorations, fine lining, and velvet drapes.
Pine Caskets in Jewish Funerals
Suit clad pallbearers carry a casket to its resting place in a cemetery plot. The picture is black and white. The men all wear black suits. Lots of shadows are cast, as the men carry the coffin across the grass of the cemetery. The picture speaks of death and grief.
In the Jewish culture, the deceased is usually buried in a plain wooden box. The purpose of this religious tradition allows for natural decomposition.
That’s why the casket should be completely biodegradable (which means no metal nails or handles). Pine caskets are usually described as “kosher” caskets, ones that are suitable for Jewish funerals.
If you’re planning to use a pine box casket for a Jewish funeral, double check the product description to make sure they don’t include steel nails.
FAQ
What is a pine casket?
It is a casket sourced from the wood of pine trees. It is usually simple and plain in design and is much cheaper than others made of hardwood and metal.
How much is a pine box casket?
A pine casket can cost about $500 and up depending on its finish. It is inexpensive because it’s made of cheap softwood material—as opposed to the more expensive hardwood counterpart sourced from sturdier trees such as mahogany and oak.
Why is pine used for caskets?
Pine trees are good resources to build caskets because it is a cheap and common wood. They are also highly renewable and abundant in the U.S. Because it is a sustainable material, those who opt for green burials choose pine boxes as their casket. It is also a good option for Jewish funerals that require simple wooden coffins.
Where can I buy pine caskets?
You can buy one from your funeral provider, third-party retailers, online retailers, as well as from your local woodworker. You can also build your own pine casket using DIY guides available online.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
To find the best choice for your loved one’s final resting place, consider the strongest materials available. Copper and bronze caskets are among the highest quality caskets on the market. Made of semi-precious metals, these caskets are beautiful, non-corrosive, and highly durable.
If you want a casket that is not only timeless and elegant but is also trusted for its strength and durability, a bronze or copper casket may be exactly what you’re looking for. (Gold caskets are another high-quality option.)
It is common to use the terms casket and coffin interchangeably. Every copper (or bronze) casket I have ever seen is a casket, not a coffin, by their formal distinction.
These caskets are, of course, made of metal—but not just any metal. They are made of copper and bronze alloy and are virtually indestructible.
Both bronze and copper are corrosion resistant. Copper is one-third stronger than stainless steel. Bronze beats both; it is the strongest material commercially used in constructing caskets.
Both bronze and copper will patina, a chemical reaction that forms a protective coating over the surface to prevent rust. The green-blue patina of copper is what gives the Statue of Liberty its iconic color—believe it or not, the statue used to be brown.
Copper and bronze caskets tend to be expensive. The raw material price can fluctuate and will be a factor in the overall price. While it seems like common sense that copper and bronze are more expensive than wood and stainless steel, most people wouldn’t guess copper is more expensive than bronze—especially as bronze is an alloy of copper.
That said, copper and bronze caskets are very similar in price depending on individual finishes.
These semiprecious metals result in caskets that are stronger than steel and last longer than wood. They are also more versatile in appearance because of the wide range of styles, designs, and colors.
Metal Caskets
Caskets made of bronze and copper fall under the wider category of metal caskets—those that are made of bronze, copper, stainless steel, and non-stainless steel.
Metal caskets are known for their ability to keep elements away from penetrating their interiors. Funeral providers often describe them as “protective” or “gasketed” caskets (or use the word “coffin”).
When a casket is referred to as gasketed, it means that it has a thick rubber gasket used to seal the casket after it is closed. This will then seal the enclosure of the lid, keeping any outside elements from entering. Gaskets are extremely common for steel caskets. Some retailers include them as standard. Wooden caskets can never be sealed or gasketed.
Gasketed caskets will not keep a body from decomposing, but the process will happen much slower than with wooden caskets. In conjunction with embalming, metal caskets can preserve a body many times longer than the wooden standard.
Many people find it best to use a sealed metal casket and are comforted by the level of strength and quality. Copper and bronze caskets are also available with elegant paint and lacquer finishes to further personalize the chamber. The casket interior may also vary according to the material, stitching, color, and plushness. Metal caskets are truly versatile.
Trivia: According to CNBC’s 2013 documentary “Death: It’s a Living”, metal caskets outsell their wood counterparts at a ratio of 4:1. This may come as no surprise since metal caskets—such as those made of bronze or copper—are more modern-looking.
One additional point regarding metal caskets.: when it is necessary to transport corpses internationally, often there are regulations in place requiring the casket to be hermetically sealed which means the casket is gasketed metal, not wood.
More on Bronze and Copper Caskets
Bronze Casket
Copper and bronze caskets are considered upmarket because of their high-end materials.
Of the 1.7 million caskets sold in 2007, the Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America estimates the following production of caskets according to type:
While most metal caskets are measured by gauge, copper, bronze, gold, and silver caskets have a different standard. If you are considering the purchase of a copper or bronze casket, take note that the metal components in the casket are measured by weight instead of by gauge (the measurement used in steel caskets).
If you find a copper or bronze casket with “32-oz.” in the product details, it means that the material weighed 32-oz per square foot. You may also see “48 oz”. As common sense would suggest, 32 oz is cheaper than 48 oz.
Aside from the top-quality features of durability and strength, these type of caskets have an edge for of the following reasons:
They have a wide range of styles and designs.
They allow for customization.
They enable you to personalize a casket for your loved one.
Because bronze and copper caskets are in the higher price range, casket providers can and do offer a wider range of styles and options. Which provides more choices for you to honor your deceased loved one.
Some retailers even allow you to customize the final design of a bronze or copper casket in terms of molding, stamps, interior, and other decorations. You can personalize it according to your deceased loved one’s interests and passions.
To learn more about the different parts of a casket and the interior panel, which is most often personalized, read our article.
How Much Are Bronze and Copper Caskets?
Due to the wide range of options and finishes, it is difficult to pin down a standard average price. Most bronze and copper caskets fall in a range from $3,600 to $10,000 or more. Certain online retailers can undercut these prices (including Titan Caskets) and some extremely high quality caskets will exceed $10,000.
The cost of copper and bronze caskets depend on the material, style, production method, and any protective features. To explore alternative options, read our complete guide to casket prices (including a compendium of average prices and free calculator).
The color and the material of the interior can also factor in the price. Obviously, it will cost more if you prefer to have it customized.
Tip: The FTC requires all funeral homes to provide a general price list of caskets. You can call to discuss prices over the phone, or have a copy sent to you. You may also set an appointment to see the available caskets yourself. Legally, the funeral director is are obliged to (offer to) give you a GPL before you enter the showroom.
Copper & Bronze Casket Cost Calculator
Technical Disclaimer: These estimates have been complied from extensive general price list sampling and regional and national pricing studies, including publicly available data provided by the NFDA. in Valhalla does not imply nor guarantee any caskets will be available from any seller at any of the estimated prices.
Online retailers are invariably cheaper than funeral homes. We recommend Titan Caskets as our top choice for metal caskets.
There are plenty of options on where to buy bronze and copper caskets. You can choose to purchase one from your funeral provider, through an independent retailer, or an online supplier.
If you prefer to buy on Amazon, start here for bronze and here for copper caskets. The prices are surprisingly competitive!
Remember: Your funeral home is required to accept any casket that you bought elsewhere. They must not charge you any fee for doing so, nor can they require you to be present at its delivery.
Titan Caskets
Titan is an online business that specializes in manufacturing and shipping caskets. Their expertise means they can afford to offer prices much lower than funeral homes.
We have researched the options and feel that Titan offers the best product, customer service, and easiest experience. Use our research to save time, money, and energy. You can rely on Titan and remove stress from the process.
There are many online casket retailers to choose from. They offer the same (or better) quality caskets available in funeral homes, for significantly cheaper prices. Some of these online retailers can even deliver within 24 hours across the U.S.
Large online retailers such as Amazon, Costco, and Walmart even offer caskets, but they will have a limited selection. The ability to personalize the caskets will be minimal.
As you can imagine, the options are overwhelming. We recommend Titan.
Remember: Double-check the delivery details as well and see if the standard shipping time fits your needs. Order your casket as soon as possible in case of shipping delays.
Funeral Homes
You can buy a bronze or copper casket from your funeral provider. They are usually sourced from large casket manufacturers and have a wide variety of options available.
As most funeral homes have some number of caskets on-site, you don’t have to worry about shipping costs or travel time. These savings rarely balance their much higher prices, though.
FAQ
How much are copper and bronze caskets?
Copper and bronze caskets range in cost from $3,500 to $10,000 and can go much higher. Buying online is cheaper than funeral homes (as low as $1,000). Copper and bronze caskets are among the most expensive caskets because they are made of semiprecious metals. These coffins are also stronger than those made of steel.
Are metal caskets better than wooden caskets?
Aside from the difference in material, metal caskets are sealed, unlike wooden caskets. The air-tight seal will protect the remains of your loved one from outside elements like water and air for some time. The appearance is also different. “Better” is a matter of choice. It really depends on your personal preference and if you are planning a green funeral. In this case you may consider wicker or pine box coffins.
What is the difference between copper and bronze caskets?
Bronze and copper caskets are both metal and considered the highest quality available. They are similar in style and price, the subtle variation is the base material itself. Bronze is actually the strongest material in constructing caskets. Both coffins are strong, durable, and elegant, and allow for elegant finishes and plenty of personal styles to choose from.
Can copper, bronze, or other metal caskets be used for cremation?
No, no metal can be cremated. This includes full-metal caskets all the way down to pine boxes with metal screws.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
No need to waste time, we’ll get right into it. Prepare to learn the differences and similarities between caskets and coffins.
What’s the Difference Between Caskets & Coffins?
The short answer is the shape: caskets are rectangular and coffins are hexagonal. Caskets have been more common in the US since the mid 19th century. Coffins were designed to be cheaper, but in the modern era you can find caskets and coffins with as much or as little decoration and ornamentation as you want.
A few notes…
Only sticklers will correct anyone on the difference. Google searches, online stores, and most funeral homes will ignore any difference—in large part because few people would recognize the difference.
Legally, there is no difference between a coffin and a casket (the Federal Trade Commission uses only ‘casket’). Most Americans don’t recognize any difference as well.
We’ll be focusing on the terminology of ‘caskets’ and ‘coffins’ in the United States. The final section of the article will discuss international usage of the words.
Shape
The primary difference is one of shape and, consequently, appearance. The parts of a casket are quite similar, except for the half couch details (which we discuss below).
Caskets
Caskets are rectangular boxes. Often they will have handles on the sides and ends for carrying.
Caskets are more likely to have split doors—also called half couch, so that only the upper half of the body may be visible for viewing—than coffins. Almost all caskets have hinged doors. If you want to learn more, read our comparison of half couches vs. full couches.
Additionally, most caskets have memory tubes (aka casket vials).
Coffins
The shape of coffins can be hexagonal and octagonal. Coffins ares sometimes described as anthropoidal, referencing the humanoid shape of the funeral box.
Coffins are often hexagonal in shape, designed to best fit the shape of the human figure. They can also be octagonal.
Because the shoulders of a person are wider than at the feet, historically builders of caskets have saved wood, metal, and other materials by removing the unnecessary space you’d find in a casket.
Few caskets have hinged doors, and fewer still (if any) are half couch. Also, coffins are less likely to have memory tubes than caskets because more coffins are biodegradable.
In the UK, often caskets are designed with a single piece of curved wood per side. Though technically four-sided, the shape is still hexagonal and some space is saved.
An oak veneer casket from UK-based Heart and Soul Funerals.
Price
The origins of the casket-coffin difference evolved as casket makers (which date back all the way to Egyptian sarcophagi) tried to save materials by building boxes more closely shaped to those they buried or cremated. For a buyer’s guide to caskets, we provide a much more practical article.
Caskets
Caskets are rectangular boxes built in a variety of sizes to fit the person they are going to enclose. There are standard size coffins designed with internal engineering to support different weights.
Each dimension—length, width, and height—of any casket will exceed (unless custom-built) the dimensions of the enclosed person. The widest the shoulders get will be the width for the entire casket. Taller height for obese corpses will be the height for the entire casket (this dimension is not improved with coffins). Longer legs and overall height extend the length of the casket as well.
All these dimension together leave lots of empty space in a rectangular casket. Though simpler to produce, empty space is wasted space.
Coffins
Coffins are designed to use less material. While this theoretically contributes to lowering the price, in the 21st century it does little.
Historically coffins were plain and simple; in a later section of this article, you’ll see how caskets rose to popularity because they looked nicer and fancier—a better place to lay someone to rest. However nowadays they’re really about the same in terms of padding, ornamentation, etc. (Am I starting to sound like Robert Frost, “Road Not Taken”?)
Six-sided coffins are harder to find in the states because of cultural preference and manufacturers prefer to produce the four-sided caskets.
If you’re interested in buying a coffin, look into green burial. Pine boxes and decomposable funeral boxes are more commonly coffins than caskets. Wicker coffins are another green option.
Transition From Casket to Coffin in the United States
Before the Civil War, coffins (both in term and shape) were the most common funeral containers by far. It was around the Civil War that death—as a consequence of the violence of the warfare—was seen as something that could be made to appear less brutal, final, and ugly. Early forms of mass production were also gaining momentum (to really pick up steam in the time of Henry Ford, 1910-20s), and rectangular caskets were easier to produce.
Caskets! A vile modern phrase, which compels a person … to shrink … from the idea of being buried at all.
Nathanial Hawthorne, 1863
There was a transition from coffin-shaped funerary boxes to more comfortable, less enclosing caskets. Pillows and lining became much more common, giving the impression the deceased is sleeping and not dead.
The word casket evolved as a euphemism for coffin around this time. There was a strong shift away from the word coffin in the US, as it was viewed as outdated, callous, and cold.
Since then, caskets have become far, far more popular in North America. Similarly, funeral homes as a business became more popular around this time.
1917 Funeral Home
Butterworth & Sons, Undertakers, from brochure Seattle and the Orient (1900)
Likewise, the material—formerly always wood—has evolved to include iron, steel, brass, and copper. Stainless steel is currently the most popular casket material.
Wood is still common, in a variety of types: Pine, Mahogany, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Cherry, Poplar. Veneer is also not uncommon.
Death In Early America
For more information, consider reading this 1974 book by Margaret M. Coffin, addressing, “the history and folklore of customs and superstitions of early medicine, funerals, burials, and mourning”.
International Use of “Casket” & “Coffin”
Internationally, coffin has always been the word used to describe the funeral box (also called a funerary box).
It is said the term ‘casket’ first appeared as an undertaker’s euphemism for coffins in the United States. Nowadays, generally it is understood that the words distinguish the difference in shape (and historically, price).
In the past, coffin has been the general term for rectangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, and any other casket/coffin shapes. Casket generally referred small boxes, such as a container for jewelry. Casket evolved from the English term coffer, after all.
Origin of the Word “Coffin”
Middle English (in the general sense ‘box, casket’).
Considered a “chest or box in which the dead human body is placed for burial” (circa 1520s).
Coffin was considered a “chest or box for valuables,” (circa 14th century) from Old French cofin “sarcophagus,” earlier “basket, coffer” (12th century; Modern French coffin).
From Latin cophinus “basket, hamper”, which became the source of Italian cofano and Spanish cuebano (“basket”).
From Greek kophinos (Ancient Greek κόφινος) “a basket,” which is of unknown origin.
Chart Credit: Google N-Gram Viewer (presence in books scanned by the Google Library Project).
FAQ
What’s the difference between a casket and a coffin?
Short and sweet, a casket is a rectangular box and a coffin is more hexagonal in shape. A coffin is designed to better fit the shape of people: wider at the shoulders and narrow at the feet.
Why aren’t coffins just rectangular boxes like caskets?
Someone once had the idea that they could build a smaller box to save money on materials. Because the shoulder of a (regular) person are wider than at the feet, historically builders of caskets have saved wood, metal, and other materials by removing the unnecessary space you’d find in a casket. It’s also cultural; in medieval Japan, for example, often people would be buried in round coffins made by coopers (barrel makers).
Should I buy a casket or a coffin?
As the primary difference is shape (and, to a small extent, price), it is largely based on your preference. While coffins are hexagonal in shape, caskets are rectangular. They are also far more common in the United States.
Does the deceased ever request a certain casket or coffin?
From my research, it hasn’t been widely documented, if it has ever happened. That said, I would expect is has been done. If you have a certain preference for casket vs. coffin, or a specific casket in mind, leave a stipulation in your will similarly to how you would specific a wish to be buried versus cremated. Additionally, make sure your family and heirs know (and agree to) your wish, as often the will is not read or fully read until after the funeral.
Hawthorne’s full quote is “a vile modern phrase which compels a person of sense and good taste to shrink more disgustedly than ever before from the idea of being buried at all” (1863) (MA Paweł Migut, University of Rzeszów; c.f. Ayto 2000).
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Flowers play an important role in funeral tradition.
Flowers and floral arrangements can be used to convey different emotions and express many feelings. In this article we discuss different types of funeral flowers, arrangements, and colors that can be used to honor your loved one and express sympathy for the family of the deceased.
Types of Funeral Flower Arrangements
There are many different types of arrangements that are used to pay tribute to the deceased. They also offer condolences and sympathy for the grieving family. Many are meant to be displayed at the funeral or memorial service, but they can also be sent directly to the home of the loved one’s family.
A casket spray is used to adorn the top of a casket. This flower arrangement serves as the main floral tribute from the closest family members of the deceased. A casket spray is made of different combinations of flowers and green foliage. After the burial, families may choose to place the casket spray on the grave of their loved one.
Source: Eternal Light Standing Spray from Florist One
A standing spray is a flower arrangement that is displayed on an easel. Similar to a casket spray, it is one of the main floral tributes from grieving family members. The standing spray is placed near the casket and it is strictly meant for services such as a funeral, memorials, and graveside services.
A casket blanket is a blanket of flowers draped over the top portion of a casket. It is constructed by placing fresh flowers on a piece of fabric. The flowers are then attached with wires and floral adhesives. During an open casket viewing, the casket blanket covers the bottom portion of the casket.
A funeral pillow is a floral arrangement shaped like a pillow. It is meant to adorn the casket as the pillow symbolizes the peace and comfort that you wish for the deceased. The funeral pillow can be given by anyone from family members to friends and co-workers.
Bold and Beautiful Funeral Wreath from Florist One
A funeral wreath is a popular floral arrangement with a circular shape. Wreaths are meant to symbolize eternal life or the cycle of life and death. A funeral wreath can be arranged in different styles and colors. Similar to a funeral pillow, a wreath can be given by anyone such as family members, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances.
Funeral wreaths and crosses are unique tributes for the deceased. The heart represents love and care for the grieving family while the cross symbolizes faith and spirituality. Funeral hearts are usually made of red, pink, and/or white flowers. Funeral crosses are usually created with white flowers. Both arrangements are generally sent from immediate family members.
Flower baskets are usually sent as sympathy presents as you offer your support and compassion for the family who lost a loved one. Flower baskets are smaller than other prominent floral arrangements and are usually given by friends of the deceased and the surviving family.
This is a good idea if you are away and unable to attend the funeral or memorial service. Sending a flower basket as a heartfelt message will demonstrate you are thinking about them.
A dish garden or a sympathy plant is also another beautiful way to offer condolences and show support for the grieving family. The green colors present in dish gardens symbolize respect and white flowers mean innocence and rebirth.
We recommend Florist One to purchase your funeral flowers. They are a national seller that connects with local florists to offer a wide selection. You can read more about why we prefer Florist One in our guide to casket sprays.
Meaning of Different Funeral Flowers
Each type of funeral flower has a unique meaning and expresses a specific emotion. When considering flowers for the loss of a loved one, the language of flowers can add a personal touch. Let the flowers help express how you convey your feelings for the deceased and the surviving family.
The list below includes the most popular funeral flowers used in different floral arrangements. Each flower has a corresponding meaning that will help you express a meaningful message for the bereaved family.
Carnations are another popular choice for funeral flowers. It is a delicate and modest flower. Carnations bloom at the height of summer when the weather is kind and gentle.
Daisies convey innocence. For many years, this sweet and tender flower has been used to symbolize innocence and lack of worldliness. It was derived from “day’s eye” because of the flower’s pupil-like yellow center and its ability to shut its petals whenever the sun is down.
Chrysanthemums bloom in November, which can be interpreted as the light of hope in dark times. Chrysanthemums have been associated with so many different meanings that they have become known as the Queen of fall flowers. It is a noble flower in East Asia. In China, Japan, and Korea, white chrysanthemums symbolize grief and lamentation. In Europe, incurve chrysanthemums symbolize death so they are often only used for funerals and graves. Another interpretation is that whitechrysanthemums symbolize loyalty and devoted love, representing happiness, longevity and joy.
Gladioli, more familiarly known as glads, stands for remembrance and natural grace. They are known for their tall flower spikes and large, colorful blooms. In recent decades, gladioli have become more commonly used for funerals. Gladioli are often used in sprays, a prominent floral arrangement in funeral services.
The many meanings of a rose are dependent on its color. The most recognizable one is the red rose that signifies deep and passionate love. Additionally, the white rose symbolizes purity and silence. The white rose is also sometimes called the “flower of light”.
Orchids are elegant and graceful flowers that signify many different meanings such as beauty, love, thoughtfulness, integrity, and friendship. There are over 25,000 species of orchid, more than any other flower. The most appropriate species of orchids for sympathy flowers are Phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids, while the traditional colors for funerals are pink and white.
Hydrangeas symbolize heartfelt feelings and emotions. They are often used as accent flowers and commonly used by florists as a base in arrangements such as funeral crosses. Hydrangeas are available in many different colors that can be paired with other flowers to convey different meanings.
Daffodils signify regard for someone and unequaled love. The lovely appearance of a golden daffodil is a wonderful sight because it marks the end of winter and the start of a new season. Daffodils bloom around Easter time which is why they are also known as the Easter lily. (Technically, daffodils are members of the Amaryllidaceae family and not a true lily.)
Tulips symbolize renewal and a fresh start. These brightly colored flowers bloom during early spring and make a suitable sympathy gift to those who lost a loved one to offer encouragement and support.
Meaning of Funeral Flower Colors
In addition to the meaning of each type of flower used in funerals, the colors of a floral arrangement also signify a specific emotion and message.
Some flowers, such as roses and lilies, express different emotions based on their color alone.
For this reason, you should also consider the color to enhance the message that you want to express for the grieving family.
Color and Meaning
Meaning
Type of Funeral Flower
White
Purity, innocence, honesty, perfection, elegance, thoughtful love
White rose – innocence, youth, reverence, a new beginning, purity White carnations – pure love, innocence, sweetness White lilies – majesty, purity White stargazer lilies – sympathyWhite chrysanthemum – truth White orchids – innocence, elegance, purity White tulips – forgiveness.
Red
Romantic love, passion, powerful love, desire
Red carnations – admiration, “my heart breaks” Red chrysanthemum – “I Love” Red rose – love, “I love you” Dark crimson rose – mourning Red tulip – perfect love, passion
Yellow
Friendship, filial love (from son or daughter), trust, compassion, respect, sympathy
Yellow daffodils – friendship Yellow orchids – friendship, happiness, new beginnings Yellow tulip – cheerfulness, sunshine in your smile
Harmony with nature, good fortune, wellness, health
Green orchids – life, health, longevity
Funeral Flower Etiquette
Sending flowers is a perfect way to express sympathy after death. However, it is important to be familiar with common funeral etiquette when it comes to sending flowers. Consider the time, place and type of flowers to send.
There are also instances where funeral flowers are not appropriate depending on the religion and culture of the deceased. Here are some of the things to remember about funeral flower etiquette.
What Type of Funeral Flower to Send
Flowers that will be placed on the casket should only be bought by the immediate family of the deceased.
Close family members are also expected to buy large floral arrangements such as casket wreaths, hearts, and crosses.
If you are a distant family member or a friend, you can choose a smaller floral arrangement that is not laid across the casket of the deceased. Other options are standing sprays, funeral baskets, and funeral plants.
If you are considering purchasing a large floral arrangement—or any that could be displayed during the funeral—consider reaching out to the family member planning the funeral.
When Flowers Should be Delivered
If you are going to send a floral arrangement directly to a funeral home, church, or crematorium, it can be delivered on the day of the funeral. To avoid delays, order the flowers early and let the florist know when the funeral service is.
It is appropriate to send flowers upon hearing of a person’s death. You can also wait until funeral arrangements are set and announced.
It is also thoughtful to send flowers even a few weeks or a few months after the service in sympathy for the family. This will let the grieving family know that you are still thinking of them.
Where to Send the Flowers
If the flowers will be displayed at the funeral, you should have them delivered directly to the funeral home, crematorium, or church where the service will take place. Just make sure that you indicate the name of the deceased and address of the venue so that it can be delivered seamlessly.
For the immediate family, it is best to address your flowers directly to the funeral or gravesite.
For members of the extended family, you have the option to send flowers to the service or it might be more appropriate to send sympathy flowers. These are flowers that are sent to the home of the deceased.
For friends and co-workers, it is best to send flowers directly to the home of the person who died.
What to Include with Flowers
You can include a card with the flowers that you give to the grieving family. The card is usually small, so you can opt for short messages such as “We are so sorry for your loss” or “With deepest sympathy”.
Sign the card with your first and last name. Signing it with just your first name could lead to some confusion even if you think it is obvious.
What to Do With the Flowers After the Funeral
What happens to flowers after the funeral service will depend on the family. They are often left behind at the venue or the grave especially if there are too many large arrangements. Families may decide to give them to close friends and extended family.
Families may choose to press the flowers and save them as keepsakes. If there will be a scattering of ashes, families may also include the flowers.
Another option is to donate the flowers to hospitals and nursing homes where other people can enjoy them.
Tip: Remember to keep the cards from the floral arrangements given to you. It may help to delegate this task. An extra step is to keep them organized with a short description of the arrangement. Very helpful when it comes time to send a thank you note.
Deciding Whether You Should Send Flowers
If you were friends with the deceased but you never met his or her family, you can still send flowers as a sign of respect for your friend. Surely the family will appreciate the gesture. Just include a short note stating how you knew the deceased.
If you are close friends with a family member but you never met the deceased, it is still appropriate to send flowers. Your friend will appreciate this and it will let them know that you support them and you are thinking of them, even if you did not know their loved one.
If you cannot attend the funeral, sending flowers becomes even more meaningful. It is a perfect way to offer your sympathy and support for the grieving family when you cannot be physically present for the service.
When Are Flowers Not Appropriate?
If the family requests donations “in lieu of flowers”, you should respect their request.
If you insist on sending flowers, we recommend also honoring their request for donation. You can add a note with the flowers letting them know that you also made a donation.
Be aware: some religions discourage or encourage flowers and particular types of flowers. We discuss this further in the next section.
Religious Funeral Flowers Etiquette
Some religions and cultures have restrictions when it comes to sending flowers for funerals, and there are so many different kinds of arrangements—just look at all the types of flower bouquets. Here are some religious backgrounds that do not traditionally accept flowers:
Jewish Funeral Flowers
Flowers are not necessary at Jewish funerals and shiva calls since they perform immediate burials. It is more common to send fruit or food baskets to the home of the deceased.
Muslim Funeral Flowers
Muslim – In Islam, some people send flowers at funerals while some do not. However, it is common at Islamic funerals to place individual flowers with palm branches and some greenery on the grave of the deceased.
Buddhist Funeral Flowers
Buddhist – Red flowers are not acceptable in Buddhist funerals. The traditional colors of funeral flowers at Buddhist ceremonies are white or yellow since they signify mourning.
Hindu Funeral Flowers
Hindu – An Hindu funerals, sending flowers is not traditional or customary. However, flowers are not unwelcome and the family has the choice to accept them or not.
Mormon Funeral Flowers
Mormon – Although flowers are welcome in Mormon funerals, they should not be arranged in the shape of a cross because they do not use this as a symbol of faith.
If you have concerns about whether sending flowers to a funeral is appropriate or not, check with the funeral home or the family.
FAQ
What’s the difference between sympathy and funeral flowers?
Funeral flowers are floral arrangements that are displayed at the funeral service. Funeral flowers are sent directly to the funeral home, church, or crematorium instead of the family’s home. They are usually larger and more elaborate than sympathy flowers. On the other hand, sympathy flowers are displayed at the home of the deceased. They are sent directly to the family’s home and generally smaller in size than the flowers displayed during the service.
What types of flower are appropriate for a funeral?
The flowers that are best suited for a funeral are lilies, carnations, roses, chrysanthemums, and gladioli. These types of funeral flowers are used to convey sympathy.
What are the best flower arrangements that are appropriate for a funeral?
Common floral arrangements displayed at funeral services are the casket spray, standing spray, casket blanket, funeral pillow, wreaths, hearts, crosses, and funeral baskets. Immediate family members generally choose floral arrangements that will be placed on the casket such as casket spray or casket blanket. If you are a close family member, it is appropriate to send large arrangements such as standing spray and funeral wreaths. For friends and co-workers, you can send funeral baskets as sympathy flowers or funeral wreaths.
When should funeral flowers be delivered?
It is appropriate to send flowers as soon as you hear about a death. You can also wait for notice of arrangements if you want to send them directly to the funeral home or service provider. For flowers to be displayed during the funeral service, it is best to send them on the day of the funeral. Place the order ahead of time to avoid delays.
Where can I order flowers for a funeral?
You can order funeral flowers from your local florist or online flower shops. If you cannot visit the florist yourself, we suggest ordering from an online retailer of funeral flowers for convenience. You simply just have to browse from the catalog, choose the best funeral flower you want, and have it sent directly to the funeral home. Many online flower companies offer the same and next day shipping.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Choosing the best funeral reading to honor your loved one is a daunting task. You may be overcome with emotion and there is an added pressure of time.
This collection of popular readings for funerals will help you quickly and easily select a tribute that is both appropriate and meaningful for your loved one.
Popular Funeral Readings
Family and friends look for poems and other passages to read during services that remember the deceased, whether it be a funeral, memorial service, funeral Mass, or committal service.
At this time of emotional stress, it is often difficult for you to express thoughts and emotions through words. Using biblical scriptures, poems, quotations, and other options can help articulate what you are feeling about your loved one.
You have our condolences.
Religious Readings
Here are some devotional readings to choose from.
Christian Bible Readings
For Christians, the reading of Bible verse can bring comfort. It is also a good way to honor the person who died while remembering one’s faith in Christ.
Romans 8:35, 37- 39
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 57:1-2
The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
John 14:1-3
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…
1 Thessalonians 4:14-17
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Jewish Funeral Readings
In Jewish funeral tradition, there is a recitation of selected Psalms, (eulogies about the goodness of the deceased), and a Memorial Prayer seeking God to take care of the soul of the departed. The chosen passages must be appropriate to the life of the person who died.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He has me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He revives my soul; He guides me on paths of righteousness for His glory. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no harm, For you are with me. Your rod and your staff do comfort me. You set a table in sight of my enemies; You anoint my head with rich oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall abide in the house of the Lord for ever.
What is Man?
“O Lord, what is man that You regard him, or the son of man that You take account of him? Man is like a breath, his days are like a passing shadow … So teach us to treasure our days that we may get a wise heart. Observe the good man, and behold the upright, for there is immortality for the man of peace. Surely God will ransom my soul from the grave; He will gladly accept me … The dust returns to the earth as it was, but the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
The Memorial Prayer – Kel Maleh Rachamim
For a man:
“O God, full of compassion, Thou who dwellest on high! Grant perfect rest beneath the sheltering wings of Thy presence, among the holy and pure who shine as the brightness on the heavens, unto the soul of _ the son of _ who has gone unto eternity, and in whose memory charity is offered. May his repose be in paradise. May the Lord of Mercy bring him under the cover of His wings forever, and may his soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life. May the Lord be his possession, and may he rest in peace. Amen.”
For a woman:
“O God, full of compassion, Thou who dwellest on high! Grant perfect rest beneath the sheltering wings of Thy presence, among the holy and pure who shine as the brightness on the heavens, unto the soul of _ the daughter of _ who has gone unto eternity, and in whose memory charity is offered. May her repose be in paradise. May the Lord of Mercy bring her under the cover of His wings forever, and may her soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life. May the Lord be her possession, and may she rest in peace. Amen.”
Catholic Funeral Readings
There are threemajor funeral rites in the Catholic Church:
Vigil for the Deceased (Wake Service)
Funeral Mass
Committal Service
These funeral rites require religious readings dedicated to the person who died. Here is a more comprehensive guide to Catholic funeral readings from the Old Testament and New Testament.
Wake Service Readings
A wake service, also known as the vigil for the deceased, is a period where the Church prays with the family before the main funeral liturgy (usually in the form of Mass). There is usually a two-hour gathering during the wake service.
Families often have a structured time of prayer during this service and the readings are taken from the scripture. You can choose from popular readings from the Old and New Testament also appropriate for funerals.
Although eulogies are best given during this service, the context of your tribute and prayer must focus on the working of God’s grace in the life of the deceased. It should not only be about the person who died, but also refer to what God has done in their life.
Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 (Old Testament)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord to whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
The Word of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 (New Testament)
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
We have an everlasting home in heaven
Brothers and sisters:
We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,
should be destroyed,
we have a building from God,
a dwelling not made with hands,
eternal in heaven.
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each one may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord
Funeral Mass Readings
Catholics commonly hold a funeral Mass for the person who died. The Mass is deemed as the most powerful prayer that can be offered for the deceased. It is a time and place where the attendant is closer to the deceased.
Funeral Mass also provides for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of the soul of the deceased. The readings spoken here are about the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, which gives a special meaning to the life of the person who died.
Wisdom 3:1-9 (First Reading)
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their judgment they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 6: 3-9 (Second Reading)
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Brothers and Sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Graveside Readings
The committal service is a Christian practice that follows a funeral and is considered the final liturgy in the Order of Christian Funerals. A committal service makes use of Scripture, intercessions, prayers, and a few words of hope from the presider.
This service commonly takes place during the burial at the cemetery, thus being named a graveside service. A graveside service may also take place at a crematorium after the cremation, or at the burial site of the deceased’s ashes.
On Passing a Graveyard
May perpetual light shine upon The faces of all who rest here. May the lives they lived Unfold further in spirit. May all their past travail Find ease in the kindness of clay. May the remembering earth Mind every memory they brought. May the rains from the heavens Fall gently upon them. May the wildflowers and grasses Whisper their wishes into light. May we reverence the village of presence In the stillness of this silent field.
John Donohue in Benedictus, A Book of Blessings
Return This Body
This body that has borne her all her life from birth to death, that gave her breath to live and sight to see, that has served her every need, that has shown you the beauty of her unique person in its eyes and made you aware of her presence in your heart, and without which she would be a mystery to you; we now return to its source with the grace it deserves from us, without our attachment to it but with our lasting love for her.
Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet. Let it not be a death but completeness. Let love melt into memory and pain into songs. Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest. Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night. Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence. I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
Rabindranath Tagore
At a Grave
“They who stand with breaking hearts around this [little] grave, need have no fear. The larger and the nobler faith in all that is, and is to be, tells us that death, even at its worst, is only perfect rest. We know that through the common wants of life—the needs and duties of each hour—their grief will lessen day by day, until at last this grave will be to them a place of rest and peace—almost of joy. There is for them this consolation: The dead do not suffer. If they live again, their lives will surely be as good as ours. We have no fear. We are all children of the same mother, and the same fate awaits us all. We, too, have our religion [belief], and it is this: Help for the living—Hope for the dead.”
Robert G. Ingersoll, adapted
Memorial Service Readings
Readings in a memorial service might be included in the eulogy or during other spoken memorial tributes. Because of the emotional strain of losing a loved one, it can be extremely difficult for families and friends to write and perform speeches during this occasion.
To make it easier, the selected reading for a memorial service should be comfortable for the speaker to read aloud. Practice may help, but it is natural and personal for the speaker to express emotion and sometimes even pause to compose themself.
There are plenty of readings fit for a memorial service at any point in this list. Scripture passages, poems, prayers, and other readings can enhance your eulogy.
As you search, ask yourself what would be meaningful to your loved one.
Non-Religious Readings
There was a time when funeral and memorial services were heavily influenced by religion and readings focused on the Gospel. Now, more and more families choose to have secular gatherings or add a religious touch to secular practices.
Readings do not have to be religious. They can have a personal touch and be derived from any source, as long as it is appropriate to the occasion.
Catholic Funeral Note: You cannot substitute the biblical passages with secular poems or readings for the funeral Mass. Non-religious readings are usually reserved for memorial services.
Narrative Readings
Readings dedicated to the deceased are not limited to prayers and poems. You may also read narrative passages to honor the memory of your loved one.
Here are some readings from literature and various sources that you are fitting for a funeral service.
Charlotte’s Web
“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s life anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die… By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”
EB White
The Apology of Socrates
“There is great reason to hope that death is a good; for one of two things—either death is a state of nothingness and utter unconsciousness, or as men say, there is a change and migration of the soul from this world to another. Now if you suppose that there is no consciousness, but a sleep like the sleep of him who is undisturbed even by dreams, death will be an unspeakable gain…Now if death be of such a nature, I say that to die is gain; for eternity is then only a single night. But if death is the journey to another place, and there, as men say, all dead abide, what good, O my friends and judges, can be greater than this?…Wherefore, O judges, be of good cheer about death, and know of a certainty, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.”
Plato, Translation by B. Jowett
To Those Who Mourn
“The old adage, Time heals all wounds, is only true if there is no suppuration within. To be bitter, to lament unceasingly, ‘Why did this have to happen to him?’ makes the wound fester; the mind, renewing the stab, causes the wound to bleed afresh. It is hard, very hard, not to be bitter in the early days, not to blame doctors, hospitals, drugs, that failed to cure. Harder still for the woman whose husband died not by illness but by accident, who was cut short in full vigor, in the prime of life, killed perhaps in a car crash returning home from work. The first instinct is to seek revenge upon the occupants of the other car, themselves unhurt, whose selfish excess of speed caused the disaster. Yet this is no answer to grief. All anger, all reproach, turns inwards upon itself. The infection spreads, pervading the mind and body. I would say to those who mourn – and I can only speak from my own experience – look upon each day that comes as a challenge, as a test of courage. The pain will come in waves, some days worse than others, for no apparent reason. Accept the pain. Do not suppress it. Never attempt to hide grief from yourself. Little by little, just as the deaf, the blind, the handicapped develop with time an extra sense to balance disability, so the bereaved, the widowed, will find new strength, new vision, born of the very pain and loneliness which seem at first, impossible to master. I address myself more especially to the middle-aged who, like myself, look back to over thirty years or more of married life and find it hardest to adapt. The young must, of their very nature, heal sooner than ourselves.”
Daphne Du Maurier, The Rebecca Notebook And Other Memories
Funeral Poems
Poetry is an art form that cannot be translated. There are many styles that express beauty and love and honor in so many wondrous ways. If your loved one had a favorite poem that would be appropriate for a funeral, it would be a great choice.
These can be delivered standalone, as in the video below, or as part of a eulogy. It’s up to you.
As a reminder, don’t pause at the end of a line unless there is punctuation.
Remember
Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you plann’d: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.
Christina Rossetti
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.
Mary Elizabeth Frye
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me To be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow Of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo, Whispering softly down the ways. Of happy times and laughing times And bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve To dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave When my life is done.
Helen Lowrie Marshall
Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message ‘He is Dead’. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood; For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Below is a video of John Hannah reading W. H. Auden’s Funeral Blues from the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Funeral Quotes
Another option is to honor the deceased with quotations from books, speeches, films, and other sources. The chosen quotes can enhance the personal speech of the speaker.
In selecting quotes, start by considering the favorite quotations of the deceased. If you cannot think of one, choose a quote that would best honor the deceased in memory and resonate with the audience.
Buddhist Saying
“Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, which is why it is called the present. What the caterpillar perceives is the end; to the butterfly is just the beginning. Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.”
Eskimo Proverb
“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
Quote by Albert Einstein
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Quote by Rabindranath Tagore
“Say not in grief that she is no more but say in thankfulness that she was A death is not the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come.”
Hebrew Proverb
“Say not in grief he is no more – but live in thankfulness that he was.”
Short Funeral Readings
Readings are best when simple and meaningful so it can still be fitting to deliver a short passage. If the feelings and emotions of the person delivering the tribute are conveyed in the reading, it will be meaningful.
I’m Here For A Short Visit Only
I’m here for a short visit only, And I’d rather be loved than hated. Eternity may be lonely When my body’s disintegrated; And that which is loosely termed my soul Goes whizzing off through the infinite By means of some vague remote control. I’d like to think I was missed a bit.
Noel Coward
Buddhist Saying
What is born will die, What has been gathered will be dispersed, What has been accumulated will be exhausted, What has been built up will collapse And what has been high will be brought low.
Comparisons
To all light things I compared her; to a snowflake, a feather. I remember she rested at the dance on my arm, as a bird on its nest lest the eggs break, lest she lean too heavily on our love. Snow melts, feathers are blown away; I have let her ashes down in me like an anchor.
R. S. Thomas
Farewell
I have got my leave. Bid me farewell, my brothers! I bow to you all and take my departure.
Here I give back the keys of my door —and I give up all claims to my house. I only ask for last kind words from you.
We were neighbors for long, but I received more than I could give. Now the day has dawned and the lamp that lit my dark corner is out. A summons has come and I am ready for my journey.
Rabindranath Tagore
Long Funeral Readings
Sometimes a long reading is required to capture the feeling of your loved one. The memorial service is usually the best place for longer readings because it is often longer and more open-ended.
I Will Live Forever
The day will come when my body will lie upon a white sheet neatly tucked under four corners of a mattress located in a hospital; busily occupied with the living and the dying. At a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped. When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine, and don’t call this my deathbed, let it be called the bed of life, and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives. Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby’s face or love in the eyes of a woman. Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain. Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play. Give my kidneys to the one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week. Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk. Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and let them grow so that, someday a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain agianst her window. Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow. If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weakness and all prejudice against my fellow man. Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God. If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.
Robert Test
The Garden
None lives for ever, brother, and nothing lasts for long. Keep that in mind and rejoice. Our life is not the one old burden, our path is not the one long journey. One sole poet has not to sing one aged song. The flower fades and dies; but he who wears the flower has not to mourn for it for ever. Brother, keep that in mind and rejoice. There must come a full pause to weave perfection into music. Life droops toward its sunset to be drowned in the golden shadows. Love must be called from its play to drink sorrow and be borne to the heaven of tears. Brother, keep that in mind and rejoice. We hasten to gather our flowers lest they are plundered by the passing winds. It quickens our blood and brightens our eyes to snatch kisses that would vanish if we delayed. Our life is eager, our desires are keen, for time tolls the bell of parting. Brother, keep that in mind and rejoice. There is not time for us to clasp a thing and crush it and fling it away to the dust. The hours trip rapidly away, hiding their dreams in their skirts. Our life is short; it yields but a few days for love. Were it for work and drudgery it would be endlessly long. Brother, keep that in mind and rejoice. Beauty is sweet to us, because she dances to the same fleeting tune with our lives. Knowledge is precious to us, because we shall never have time to complete it. All is done and finished in the eternal Heaven. But earth’s flowers of illusion are kept eternally fresh by death. Brother, keep that in mind and rejoice.
Rabindranath Tagore
To Be Or Not To Be (Hamlet)
To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, ’tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover’d country from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pith and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action.–Soft you now! The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remember’d.
William Shakespeare
A Psalm of Life
Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!- For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,-act in the living present! Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
FAQ
What are the three major funeral rites in the Catholic Church?
These are the vigil for the deceased (wake service), funeral mass, and the committal service (graveside service).
Can I substitute a scripture reading with my loved one’s favorite poem?
Not during Catholic funeral Mass, it requires you to take the readings from the Scripture only. You cannot substitute the biblical passages with secular poems or readings. You may use non-religious readings on other services outside the Mass.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Green cremation is a modern way to perform cremation—and it is gaining popularity. It is similar to traditional cremation, reducing human remains to ashes and bone fragments. The difference is, green cremation does not use a flame.
Read more to find out how the process works, environmental benefits, and why it might be the best method of disposition.
What is Green Cremation?
Green cremation is term that refers to an eco-friendly alternative method used to cremate a body. Also called water cremation, it is a flameless method that uses potassium hydroxide and water to reduce the body to bone fragments. The end result produces the same type of human ashes you get from traditional cremation.
The scientific term for a green cremation is alkaline hydrolysis. What happens during this process is essentially the same chemical process that occurs when a body decomposes after burial in a casket. The use of alkaline hydrolysis speeds the process of decomposition.
The natural decomposition of the human remains takes several years, while alkaline hydrolysis only takes about 4 to 16 hours.
The process of green cremation is also called bio-cremation, water cremation, aquamation, resomation, and flameless cremation.
How Water Cremation Works
The process of green cremation requires a special type of equipment and training. The machine that is used has a single chamber that is air and watertight. It can hold up to one hundred gallons (~378 liters) of liquid.
First, the intact body of the deceased will be placed in the chamber and sealed.
The chamber is then filled with an alkaline solution consisting of 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide. The exact amount of alkaline solution poured into the chamber depends on the sex, body mass index (bmi), and weight of the deceased.
To accelerate the rate of decomposition, the solution will be subjected to heat, pressure, and or agitation. This varies depending on the equipment used. In some equipment, the contents are heated up to 300-320 degrees Fahrenheit (149-160 degrees Celsius). The pressure is then elevated to prevent the solution from boiling.
This chemical process breaks down the body of the deceased. What’s left will be bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The solid bone fragments are reduced to pure white and are now called hydrolyzed remains or cremated remains.
The bone remains are allowed to dry so they can be pulverized. The end result is the same very similar to a traditional cremation with one exception. The remains from a green cremation will be 32% greater. Human “ashes” from both types of cremation are, more accurately, pulverized bone fragments.
There are approximately 32% more ashes yielded from a green cremation compared to traditional cremation.
Just like traditional cremated ashes, the bereaved family can dispose of the remains in any way they see fit. Remains can be stored, scattered, or buried. And there are countless ways to remember your loved one in a creative manner.
Benefits of Green Cremation
Green cremation is a new alternative to existing methods of body disposition. Water cremation is viewed as the most eco-friendly method for the final disposition of the body. The process is relatively more controlled and a gentler process.
The result is a smaller carbon footprint because it avoids consumption of significant amounts of fuel, wood, and embalming chemicals.
Additionally benefits:
The body is not embalmed
No casket is used
Environmentally Friendly
The main advantage of green cremation over traditional methods is that is easier on the environment. Less fuel is required and it avoids mercury emissions, which are byproducts of heat cremation. The total energy necessary to perform a green cremation is significantly less than incineration.
According to a study, alkaline hydrolysis uses 90% less energy and produces 27% less carbon output than incineration. Water cremation also reduces mercury emissions which are toxic and known to be a health concern.
The overall chemical process of green cremation leaves behind a sterile liquid that is non-toxic. It is comprised of peptides, amino acids, and sugar that can be disposed without harming the environment.
Cost-effective
The cost of a green cremation is about the same price as a traditional cremation. As compared with traditional burials, it shares the same price advantages as conventional cremation—they are both generally less expensive.
Remembering a loved one is a personal choice. Often, cost is not a priority at this time. But if cost is a factor, a green cremation can be a good solution. Additional costs associated with funeral services and burial may not be needed. And depending on final choices, you might avoid casket and burial plot expenses.
Other Benefits
In traditional cremation (incineration), medical attachments in the body such as pacemaker must be removed to avoid damage to the equipment. There is no need to remove medical implants for bio-cremation.
It is also found that green cremation yields whiter ashes compared to the method of incinerating body remains. Incineration sometimes changes the color of bones into gray or other darker shades.
Is Green Cremation Available in My State?
Green cremation, or specifically the process of alkaline hydrolysis, is currently legal in some states. According to NOLO, it has been legalized in 18 states (19 if including Michigan).
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Michigan*
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
North Carolina
Oregon
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wyoming
*According to NOLO, alkaline hydrolysis is being practiced in Michigan, but there are no statutes or regulations that explicitly allow it. Though some Michigan-based funeral homes offer it in their materials, it is unclear whether the alkaline hydrolysis facilities they offer are in-state.
Alkaline hydrolysis was first legalized in the state of Minnesota in 2013.
Although green cremation is legal in 19 states, not all of these states have operating providers for alkaline hydrolysis. It can be challenging for supporters to use this eco-friendly option.
If you want a green cremation and it is not available in the state where you live, consider exploring options in neighboring states.
You may not have to travel. Your funeral home may be able to work directly with a facility in a neighboring state. The body will be transferred and the remains returned after the process. In most cases, it is easier to transfer the body and return the ashes so the cremation service can occur remotely.
We recommend researching solutions in advance since availability and charges differ between facilities.
FAQ
What is a green cremation?
Green cremation is an eco-friendly method of cremating the body of a loved one without flames. The scientific term for this process is alkaline hydrolysis. The chemical process that happens during a green cremation is essentially the same natural process that occurs to a body after it is buried. Green cremation accelerates the time a body takes to decompose from a few years to a few hours through a combination of alkalinity, temperature, and pressure.
How does green cremation work?
Green cremation is performed after any viewing or services. In the actual process of alkaline hydrolysis, the body is placed in a stainless steel container. A solution of 95% water and 5% alkali fill the chamber and it is then heated to start the breakdown of organic materials. At the end of the process, all organic material is broken down and only the bones remain. The bones are then pulverized and returned to the family as the ashes of the deceased. Traditional cremation ashes are pulverized bone fragments as well, so the end result is the same, but green cremation results in 32% more ashes.
How long does green cremation take?
Water cremation takes about 3 to 16 hours, depending on the body mass and weight of the deceased, as well as the operating temperature of the equipment.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Casket prices vary depending on many factors.Materials, construction, options, and source all play a part. The goal of this article is to help you understand how much a casket might cost and explain what you are investing in. We hope to make this process easier for you during this difficult time.
What you can expect from this article:
Average price of every type of casket
Free casket cost calculator tool
Best casket choice for a reasonable price (by type)
Options for all budgets
Where to buy caskets
Explanation of all the optional upgrades
A Heartfelt Sentiment
Buying a casket will likely be the largest expense of a funeral. Often the decision making occurs at a stressful moment with limited time to research and compare offers. Some basic information can help you purchase a casket with confidence. We aim to provide you with the information and understanding to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision. So let’s walk through the options.
Source: Casket Builders Supply
How Much Does A Casket Cost?
We compiled data on casket prices to calculate the national average. Casket prices can range from less than $500 to over $10,000, with a quality steel or wood casket at around $1,000 (from online sellers). However, some types can range much higher, such as bronze and copper caskets. Funeral homes charge much high markups than online retailers.
The chart is further broken down to show the difference between average funeral home casket costs as opposed to average casket prices from online retailers. Each source has its own advantages.
Having an understanding of national averages will empower you to know what to expect.
Technical Disclaimer: These prices are estimates based on extensive funeral home price sheet sampling and national averages. in-Valhalla does not make any claim whatsoever as to the validity of these prices, nor imply or guarantees caskets or coffins are available by any retailer at these prices.
How did we determine these casket prices?
Extensive sampling from casket listings from online websites and publicly available funeral home general price lists.
If you’d like to reuse this information, just provide attribution (link back to this page).
Casket Price Calculator
Use this tool to help estimate the expenses of different casket types and other burial options.
Consider the Purpose of a Casket
The casket is not designed to preserve the body of the deceased. Said a different way, no casket or coffin can preserve the body of the deceased forever.
“[The purpose of a casket] is to provide a dignified way to move the body before burial or cremation. No casket, regardless of its qualities or cost, will preserve a body forever.”
In fact, federal law prevents any casket manufacturer or funeral home from marketing caskets that will perfectly preserve a corpse. This is part of the Funeral Rule, a set of laws critical to the industry, and designed to protect the consumer.
All caskets, once buried, do exactly one of two things: they outlast the body or they decompose with the body.
Considering the purpose of a casket may help you determine what attributes are important to you and your family.
Pricing Guide
Caskets take many forms. Whether it is a simple vessel or a luxurious golden send off, the range of casket options available is vast and the range of prices is equally wide. For the average consumer, regardless of the final choice, the casket will be the most expensive part of the funeral service.
Where’s the Best Place to Buy a Casket?
Source plays an important role in overall casket price.
Funeral homes are not designed to hold large amounts of inventory because they provide many other services. For this reason, they are limited by overhead and offer a small selection of the actual caskets available. At the same time, they may be the easiest and most convenient option.
As the chart above would suggest, it is almost always more affordable to buy the casket from an online seller. We recommend Titan Casket (we’ll explain why down below).
While funeral homes offer convenience, digital businesses can afford to offer much lower prices. Why? Because they have a much lower overhead. They don’t have to run a funeral home. They specialize, so they almost always have a larger selection to choose from.
Shipping is the one concern (it can range from $300 to $600, per the FTC) but many e-commerce sellers have recently moved to offer free shipping.
Skip down to our section on casket sellers; we compare funeral homes, online websites, and big box sellers like Costco and Walmart.
Funeral homes are legally required to accept any casket, including those purchased from outside sources (including online websites). They cannot charge a fee for doing this.
What’s the Best Casket for a Reasonable Price?
Quick answer: balancing value with affordability that appeals to a broad range of tastes, we recommend a standard steel casket from Titan Casket.
We recommend them for many reasons, including reasonable prices, high-quality caskets made in the US, and helpful customer service. Oh, and did we mention free shipping? You can read our complete review here.
Different Types of Caskets and Price Points Available
In this section, we’ll go into more depth and present the most economical casket by type. For a more comprehensive look into the different kinds and some guidance on which to choose, read our guide to the different types of caskets.
If you’re interested in a particular color, so far we’ve covered red, white, and blue.
Bronze and Copper Caskets
While both bronze caskets and copper caskets are considered to be the highest quality of caskets available for purchase, some online retailers offer them at very competitive prices—often even lower than popular wooden or steel caskets offered by funeral homes.
The bronze Orion casket is my personal favorite. I think you’ll be surprised by the price.
Best Pine Box Caskets
Pine Caskets are a great choice for many reasons. They’re green, they can be cremated, and are available at a reasonable price. They are a simple choice—the choice of the minimalist.
While many families do not feel they are appropriate for viewings or funeral services, they can be great for an outdoor service or closed casket funeral. Pine box caskets are also extremely popular for green funerals.
This six-sided coffin is from The Old Pine Box, a New Mexico-based group dedicated to making handcrafted caskets. They work primarily in pine and cedar, and—though a small organization—their caskets are of remarkable quality.
One customer from Sioux city commissioned us to build him a simple, pine casket. Rope handles, no finish, no handles, no interior. Just a bare-bones box. He told me he wanted to make a statement: the casket is simply a vessel for another vessel that we’re done with. There’s no reason to get carried away.
Loren Schieuer, Woodworker and Cofifn-Maker
Though relatively new to the market, there are also more sophisticated pine boxes—half couch and absolutely suitable for a funeral service and viewing.
We like to emphasize the rental casket option because it is a great choice if you plan to cremate your loved one. And one you may not be aware of. Instead of paying for an expensive casket to be used for the cremation funeral service, you can rent a casket for the service and use a plain (and cheap) cremation container for the burial.
Most funeral homes offer rental casket options. Ask your funeral director. To get a detailed guide on how it works, read our comprehensive article on rental caskets. (Of course, it’s completely sanitary.)
Best Wicker Casket
Another option that is similar to a pine box casket is a wicker coffin. As a side note, caskets and coffins are actually two separate types of funerary box. While most products available are indeed caskets, wicker containers are more often called coffins because of their shape.
Anyway, wicker caskets are an affordable green option. And we believe that bamboo wicker coffins are the most renewable coffin or casket on the market! The only nationwide direct-to-consumer seller we could find the United States is Titan Casket (coincidentally, also our favorite casket seller).
If you’ve decided to have a wake or viewing (sometimes called visitation), you’ll need a casket in the traditional sense; a funerary box such as a steel or wood casket.
The alternative for a green funeral is to consider a burial shroud, pine box, or other decomposable method of burial.
Families can select any casket they like for the cremation process as long as it is rigid, leak-proof, combustible, non-toxic, and doesn’t feature any metal parts.
We’ve pulled the cheapest caskets from Titan Casket: the cheapest overall (a cloth covered casket) and the most affordable steel casket. Remember, the prices include shipping, so the price you see is the price you’ll pay plus sales tax. Nothing more.
Gauge: Thickness of steel. Caskets are available in 16, 18, 20, and 22 gauge. Most common are 18 and 20, the small number being thicker steel.
Gaskets: A gasketed casket is one with an airtight seal. Wooden caskets are not hermetically sealed; only steel, bronze, and copper. Gasket seals actually increase the decomposition speed of the enclosed body, but protect it from dirt, water, and other debris.
Veneer: A base layer (often plywood) covered with a thin layer of finer wood. Veneer is a cheaper alternative to solid hardwood that is virtually identical.
Buying Caskets Online
We recommend buying caskets online.
Price
Selection
Shipping Cost
Shipping Time
Despite the cost of shipping (many companies now offer free shipping, including Titan Casket), online casket prices are often less than half the price offered at funeral homes.
Common reasons not to buy a casket online are if they couldn’t ship to your location (Hawaii, Alaska) or your loved one was set on a particular casket or model.
Funeral homes offer convenience. If it makes sense to buy from a funeral home in your situation—by all means, do it!
Time is often a concern, but there are many great 24 or 48 hour delivery options.
The Funeral Law
The Funeral Rule, as it is called, is federal law that places a set of limitations and rules on funeral homes and funeral service providers. Concerning caskets, it states…
Funeral homes must accept any casket purchased anywhere (including online). They cannot charge a fee for accepting outside caskets or accepting deliveries of caskets.
Funeral homes must (offer to) provide you with a list of casket prices before you see their caskets in stock. The collective price list of all their products and services is called a General Price List (GPL).
To read more generally about the Funeral Rule, read the Federal Trade Commission’s detailed breakdown.
Ordering By Telephone
When ordering by telephone, peruse the catalogue first. You may find a physical price list, website, catalogue, or other medium. Get to know the price range and manage your expectations.
Play around with the calculator above to understand what costs more and what costs less. We can’t offer exact prices but hope the range will provide helpful insight.
Once you get on the phone, grab a pen and paper then ask these questions. (Bookmark/Favorite this page to get back to it later).
What’s your least expensive casket?
What’s your least expensive wood coffin?
What’s your most expensive wooden casket?
What’s your least expensive 18 gauge coffin?
What’s your least expensive 20 gauge casket?
What’s your most expensive 20 gauge casket?
These questions will give you a great impression of the range of prices available from this vendor. Additionally, when you price of the specific casket you’re interested in you’ll have hard numbers to compare.
Buying From Big Box Resellers
Big box retailers include companies like Walmart and Costco. Caskets are not a large part of their business—in fact, they’re almost nothing. That’s why we prefer to recommend online sellers that focus specifically on caskets. If you have questions, you can call and talk to an expert. Big box sellers don’t offer that kind of knowledge base.
If you prefer to buy from Amazon, some (but not all) online retailers list their caskets on the platform. You can explore their collection.
Still, they are a valid option for many individuals. Often their markup is higher than online sellers dedicated solely to caskets—but not by too much. We’ve mapped Costco’s casket shipping below.
Buying From Funeral Homes
We recommend buying caskets online and not at funeral homes because mortuaries and the like have such high overheads. They have to maintain the building, pay their employees, and buy caskets and other products before they resell them.
Caskets represent high margins for funeral homes. They are big ticket items—almost certainly the biggest single expense of the the funeral. So funeral homes are motivated to sell their most expensive caskets.
Special note: Please know that funeral home operators are professional, knowledgable, and sympathetic to the family and loved ones planning a service. As a matter of fact, they will be your best resource during this process.
What follows is a point of view simply meant to inform and prepare you for what you could experience.
Sales Tactics to be Aware Of
This video—by a life insurance company—illustrates the point that funeral homes are in business to make a profit. We don’t fault them for that and actually want them to thrive. But it is important for a consumers to be informed.
The Ugly Caskets
Yes, there are ugly caskets. In fact, if you’ve been to a funeral home you have probably seen those strangely-colored caskets and wondered who would want them. Who would build them?
The truth is, the manufacturers produce them because funeral homes—not consumers—want them. Some— not many—funeral homes use this tactic to offer cheaper, unappealing options to make more expensive caskets enticing. It’s a cynical viewpoint, but it’s our job to let you know it exists.
“You’ll Regret it Later”
Choosing a casket is a delicate time. One that most people want to avoid altogether or at least hurry up.
“You’ll regret it later” is a line you might hear that is meant to play on emotion.
“Doesn’t your loved one deserve a nicer casket?”
“You may regret it later.”
“You’ve been very frugal with your planning, but the casket is where you can honor your loved one.”
“Don’t burden the widowed with this decision.” (To the kids)
For more reading on personal examples, I find this article by Avenidas Funeral Chapel extremely interesting.
Summary
Funeral homes offer convenience and make purchasing a casket very easy. But there is a cost associated with this convenience.
These days online specialists can offer a wider variety of casket choices at more affordable prices – even considering shipping and logistics. Buying online is certainly an option worth considering.
In almost ever other regard, funeral homes and your funeral director are indispensable.
Terminology and Casket Specifications
Casket Parts
It’s fascinating just how complex casket’s have become, isn’t it? Compared to Egyptian sarcophagi—they have evolved. Read more about casket parts in our detailed article.
What’s the Standard Casket Size?
The standard casket size is 81 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 23 inches tall. These dimensions are the exterior sizes. Interior sizes are about half an inch smaller (27.5 inches wide, 23 inches tall, and 80.5 inches long).
A few other useful notes:
The maximum weight for standard caskets is 350 pounds.
If you have to measure a person, the maximum width is at the shoulders or the elbows.
Oversized Caskets
Very few people require oversized caskets. Normally the width is increased to 31 inches (78.74 centimeters). The length is often scaled to 84 inches (213.36 centimeters).
If you are suspect your loved one might need an oversized casket, read our guide to casket sizes and and then speak to your funeral director.
Some funeral directors may bend the knees of your loved one to fit them into the coffin. You won’t notice this in half couch caskets—and almost all caskets are—because the lower half of the lid is closed during the viewing, service, etc.
Also, casket manufacturers take some liberty with their sizing measurements. It really depends on the caskets you’re considering. For example, skim this sizing guide from Batesville Casket Company.
Warranty
Some metal caskets have a warranty, wooden caskets do not. The purpose of a casket warranty is as strange as it sounds. It is really a marketing ploy: something to buy that is worthless.
This is because every product comes with what is called an implied warranty. All coffins should be able to hold a body for burial. There is no reason for any extra warranty.
“An implied warranty is a legal term for the assurances—written or oral—that a product is fit for the purpose intended and is merchantable, i.e., conforms to an ordinary buyer’s expectations.” (Investopedia)
There have been some legal suits for caskets malfunctioning (breaking) during the funeral, but this is covered by the implied warranty. Decomposition post-burial is a natural part of the process, and unavoidable with any casket.
If you plan to buy a casket with a warranty, ask what it covers beforehand. Don’t buy one casket over another just because it has a warranty.
Additional Features
There are a few fascinating casket features we thought we’d point out: namely, memory tubes and half vs full couch caskets.
What is a Casket Memory Tube?
Memory tubes are like time capsules. They tell the story of the person in the casket in case the casket is unearthed or disentombed. Sometimes this is necessary after natural disasters.
They are little tubes (picture a small test tube) stored inside the casket but accessible without disturbing the corpse. Florida, Louisiana, and possibly other states have laws requiring external identification of the corpse.
The slip of paper is often 1.5 x 6 inches.
These laws developed because of the frequency that hurricanes were disturbing cemeteries. Officials attempting to return boxes to their graves often had to exhume and attempt to identify the remains—not always successful, and certainly not ideal.
Memory record tubes have become standard throughout the United States and world. You’d be hard-pressed to find one a casket without a memory tube. Still, it’s something to double-check.
There was even a patent filed for memory tubes in 1984, described as an ‘identification capsule.’
What are Half vs Full Couch Caskets?
The difference between a half couch casket and a full couch casket is the lid. A half-couch casket has a two-piece lid with only the head portion opened during the visitation or viewing services. A full couch casket has only one lid that exposes the complete body when opened.
An adjustable bed for a casket is a way to incline the platform that the body lies on. Normally this is simple padding or foam, but some of the most expensive caskets will include memory foam or a spring mattress.
This feature isn’t a necessity. But if it’s mentioned, now you know what it means.
Check out this patent filed by Batesville in 1950 (now expired). It’s quite the contraption!
What’s the Most Expensive Casket Ever?
Source: Affordable Casket Company
The most expensive casket is—no surprise—golden. The Promethean, offered by Batesville Casket Company, is a casket priced from $24,000 up to $40,000 USD.
Among the stars resting in this shining memorial are: Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, & James Brown. While not solid gold, it is 48 oz. bronze and gold-plated—and a sight to behold.
But a few custom-built caskets get even more expensive than the Promethean. Read our investigation into the most expensive custom caskets.
Industry Trends
Materials
Raw material determines overall cost, appearances, and function.
This data is from 2007; since then there has been a large movement toward wood and greener caskets, at pace with the green funeral movement.
“The producer price index (PPI), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is a group of indices that calculates and represents the average movement in selling prices from domestic production over time.”
Think of it as the average price of production. It is notthe price from a consumer’s point of view (how much it costs in funeral homes). It’s not even wholesale price. It is the cost the manufacturer pays to create the product (casket).
These charts reveal how caskets have increasingly become more expensive to produce. Inflation contributes to the rising trend.
Producer Price Index by Industry: Burial Casket Manufacturing: Metal Burial Caskets and Coffins, Completely Lined and Trimmed, Adult Sizes Only
Producer Price Index by Industry: Burial Casket Manufacturing: Other Burial Caskets and Coffins, Including Burial Boxes and Vaults (Except Concrete and Stone)
Pine box caskets compete for the cheapest casket title with cloth-covered options. Pine caskets are about $800 and cloth covered caskets are about $700 on Titan Casket. Check the links for the most update to date pricing. However, your funeral home and local sellers may have cheaper options. In general pine and cloth-covered caskets are cheapest. (We are not considering burial shrouds. They are difficult to find online; if you’re interested, as your funeral director).
What is a memory tube in a casket?
A memory tube is a capsule that identifies the corpse inside the casket without anyone having to open the casket and exhume the body. It is often a vial that screws into the outside of the coffin.
How much does a memory tube cost?
Memory tubes are now standard and included by all major casket manufacturers, in large part because states such as Florida and Louisiana require them by law.
What is the standard size of a casket?
The standard casket size is 81-84 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 23 inches tall, which fits everyone under 6 foot 8 (technically 6 foot 5, but funeral directors can bend the knees so you don’t have to pay extra for an oversized casket).
Do I need an oversized casket?
Almost certainly not. It’s good to check the dimensions before you buy, but caskets 84 inches in length (extremely common) can fit individuals up to 6 foot 8 if you bend the knees of the corpse.
What’s the difference between 18 & 20 gauge caskets?
Gauge refers to the thickness of the steel used to make a casket. 18 and 20 gauge are the most common in casket making. The lower the number, the thicker and more expensive the casket.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Music is an essential part of every funeral. At a Catholic funeral, the music will be hymns, which are pieces of sacred music played at the Funeral Mass.
The music played at funerals offers support and consolation to the attendants. It may also uplift their spirits and give them hope as the hymns celebrate Christ’s victory over death and the deceased’s share in that victory.
Read more to find the most popular Catholic funeral hymns.
Catholic Funeral Hymns
The parish is responsible for the funeral liturgy, but the family of the deceased may also decide which funeral hymns to include for their loved one.
Having the option to decide the music allows you to consider the music that was important to your loved one.
Music can evoke strong feelings. Having enough time to plan for the selection of music will allow family and friends to actively participate in the Catholic celebration of the person who died.
The selected music must enhance the solemnity and dignity of the funeral liturgy. This is why everyone must be mindful of the selected music to be played in the church.
Where Hymns Fit in Catholic Funerals
Catholic funerals have a funeral Liturgy, or Mass. It is composed of four parts.
Introductory Rites
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Final Commendation
Hymns are performed during the Liturgy of the Eucharist (third part). The family is also responsible for choosing pieces of scripture (from both the Old Testament and the New Testament) during the Liturgy of the Word.
Types of Hymns Played
In a funeral liturgy, there are many opportunities for hymns to be played. The following hymns are be sung during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Opening Hymn
Responsorial Psalm
Offertory Hymn
Communion Hymn
Closing Hymn
The liturgy of the Eucharist is a part of the Funeral Liturgy where people unite their sorrow and love with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Family and friends are united with their loved ones in the closest way possible when they receive Holy Communion.
Sometimes, surviving families of the deceased request to play a popular secular song during the Funeral Mass. However, some songs will not be allowed by the parish. Be sure to consult with your priest.
The funeral hymns listed below are appropriate for Catholic funerals. After choosing, it is still recommended to consult first with the Church, your priest, or the choir leader.
Opening Hymn
The opening or the processional hymn is the gathering song played as people enter the Church.
It opens the celebration and accompanies the procession of the priest at the beginning of Mass. The opening hymn also fosters the unity of those who are gathered.
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
The world shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun refuse to shine; But God, who called me here below, Shall be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
John Newton, 1779
Be Not Afraid
You shall cross the barren desert, But you shall not die of thirst. You shall wander far in safety, Though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands, And all will understand, You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow Me, And I shall give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters In the sea, you shall not drown. If you walk amidst the burning flames, You shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell And death is at your side, Know that I am with you, through it all
Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow Me, And I shall give you rest.
Blessed are your poor, For the Kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you that weep and mourn, For one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you, all because of Me, Blessed, blessed are you!
Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow Me, And I shall give you rest.
I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save I who made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of wind and flame I will tend the poor and lame I will set a feast for them My hand will save Finest bread I will provide ‘Til their hearts be satisfied I will give my life to them Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart I will hold Your people in my heart
Dan Schutte, 1981
On Eagle’s Wings
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord Who abide in His shadow for life Say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
The snare of the fowler will never capture you And famine will bring you no fear Under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
You need not fear the terror of the night Nor the arrow that flies by day Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
For to His angels He’s given a command To guard you in all of your ways Upon their hands they will bear you up Lest you dash your foot against a stone
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
And hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand
Michael Joncas, 1979
Responsorial Psalm
The responsorial psalm fosters mediation on the word of God. It is preferred that the psalm be sung (instead of spoken) since the psalms were written as hymns for the people of Israel.
The Psalm is directly pulled from the scripture and a cantor will lead the responsorial psalm through song from the ambo (the pulpit). The congregation sings the response to the psalm.
Psalm 23 My shepherd is the Lord
Refrain:
My Shepherd is the Lord. Nothing indeed shall I want.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. [Refrain]
He guides me along the right path, he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear You are there with Your crook and Your staff; with these You give me comfort. [Refrain]
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. [Refrain]
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. [Refrain]
Arranged by: Joseph Gelineau
Psalm 23 Shepherd me, O God
Refrain:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace. (R)
Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth, my spirit shall sing the music of your name. (R)
Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side, your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. (R)
You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my power to hold. (R)
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore. (R)
Arranged by: Marty Haugen
Psalm 23 The Lord, is my shepherd
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want; he makes me down to lie in pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again, and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale, yet will I fear none ill, for thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes; my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me; and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.
Various Arrangements
Psalm 25 To you, O Lord
Refrain:
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul, to you, I lift my soul.
Lord, make me know your ways, teach me your paths and keep me in the way of your truth, for you are God, my Savior.
For the Lord is good and righteous, revealing the way to those who wander, gently leading the poor and the humble.
To the ones who seek the Lord, who look to God’s word, who live God’s love, God will always be near, and will show them mercy.
Arranged by: Marty Haugen
Psalm 42 & 43 My soul is thirsting for the living God
Refrain (R):
My soul is thirsting for the Lord: when shall I see God face to face?
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (repeat phrases c and d) When shall I come and behold the face of God? (R)
My tears have been my food [both] day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” (R)
These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, nd led them in procession to the house of God, (repeat phrases c and d) with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. (R)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God. (R) 6.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, [and] from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep at the thunder of Your cataracts; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me. (R)
By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, (omit phrase c) a prayer to the God of my life. (R)
I say to God, my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” (R)
As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, “Where is your God?” (R)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God. (R)
Arranged by: Joseph Gelineau
Offertory Hymn
The offertory hymn is played as the gifts are gathered. This hymn is optional, and its length must not excessively delay the action of the liturgy. A solo or choral piece is most appropriate for the offertory hymn.
Prayer of St. Francis
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light, And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand. To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Prayer of St. Francis By Dr. Martin Neary LVO, Michael Ward, and Sebastian Temple
Blest Are The Pure In Heart
Blest are the pure in heart, For they shall see our God; The secret of the Lord is theirs; Their soul is Christ’s abode.
The Lord, who left the heavens Our life and peace to bring, To dwell in lowliness with men Their pattern and their king.
Still to the lowly soul He doth Himself impart; And for His cradle and His throne Chooseth the pure in heart.
Lord, we Thy presence seek; May ours this blessing be; Give us a pure and lowly heart, A temple meet for Thee.
By John Keble, 1819
Eye Has Not Seen
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
When pain and sorrow weigh us down, be near to us, O Lord, forgive the weakness of our faith, and bear us up within your peaceful word.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
Our lives are but a single breath, we flower and we fade, yet all our days are in your hands, so we return in love what love has made.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
To those who see with eyes of faith, the Lord is ever near, reflected in the faces of all the poor and lowly of the world.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
We sing a mystery from the past in halls where saints have trod, yet ever new the music rings to Jesus, Living Song of God.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
By Marty Haugen
How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus: Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
By Stuart K. Hine
Keep in Mind
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages. If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord. If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord.
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages. In him all our sorrow, in him all our joy. In him hope of glory, in him all our love.
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages. In him our redemption, in him all our grace. In him our salvation, in him all our peace.
By Lucien Deiss
Shelter Me O God
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
When my foes surround me, set me high above their reach. Hear me when I call your name.
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
As a mother gathers her young beneath her care, Gather me into your arms.
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
Though I walk in darkness, through the needle’s eye of death, You will never leave my side.
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
By Bob Hurd
Communion Hymn
The communion hymn is played while the priest is receiving the Sacrament. The purpose of this hymn is to express the spiritual union of the people receiving the Holy Communion.
It is also meant to show the gladness of heart of the people gathered as they receive the Eucharist. The singing of the Communion hymn may be prolonged as needed.
I Am the Bread of Life
I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger; he who believes in me shall not thirst. No one can come to me unless the Father draw him.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world, and he who eats of this bread, he shall live for ever, he shall live for ever.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink of his blood, and drink of his blood, you shall not have life within you.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
I am the resurrection, I am the life. He who believes in me even if he die, he shall live for ever.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
By Suzanne Toolan
Eat This Bread
Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup, trust in me and you will not thirst.
I am the bread of life, the true bread sent from the Father.
By Robert J. Batastini
Gift of Finest Wheat
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
As when the shepherd calls his sheep They know and heed his voice So when You call your family Lord We follow and rejoice.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
With joyful lips we sing to You Our praise and gratitude That You should count us worthy Lord To share this heavenly food.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
The mystery of Your presence Lord No mortal tongue can tell Whom all the world cannot contain Comes in our hearts to dwell.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
You give Yourself to us o Lord Then selfless let us be To serve each other in Your name In truth and charity.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
By Robert E. Kreutz
Like a Shepherd
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home. Say to the cities of Judah: Prepare the way of the Lord. Go to the mountain top, lift your voice; Jerusalem, here is your God.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home. I myself will shepherd them, for others have led them astray. The lost I will rescue and heal their wounds and pasture them, giving them rest.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home. Come unto me if you are heavily burdened, and take my yoke upon your shoulders, I will give you rest.
By Bob Dufford
Gather Us Together
Refrain: Lord, Jesus Christ, gather us together. Make us one bread, one body in your love.
Verse 1: Gather your people, who long to be one, one with you, O Lord, in truth and love.
Verse 2 We do proclaim you the Savior of the all, Lord of all the earth and sea and sky.
Verse 3: Forgive our failings, create us anew. Speak y our words of peace into our hearts.
Verse 4: Into your hands, Lord, we place all our cares, trusting in your love which never fails.
Verse 5: Within your temple your praises we sing. Glorious is your name o’er all the earth.
The closing hymn or the recessional hymn is meant to be a meaningful communal moment of gathering around the person who died before the attendants leave the church. There will be a procession of the casket out of the church, followed by the family and mourners.
Sing with All the Saints in Glory
Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking, Soon the storms of time shall cease; In God’s likeness we awaken, Knowing everlasting peace.
O what glory, far exceeding All that eye has yet perceived! Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, Never that full joy conceived. God has promised, Christ prepares it, There on high our welcome waits. Ev’ry humble spirit shares it; Christ has passed the eternal gates.
Life eternal! heav’n rejoices: Jesus lives who once was dead. Shout with joy, O deathless voices! Child of God, lift up your head! Patriarchs from distant ages, Saints all longing for their heav’n, Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages, All await the glory giv’n.
Life eternal! O what wonders Crowd on faith; what joy unknown, When, amid earth’s closing thunders, Saints shall stand before the throne! Oh, to enter that bright portal, See that glowing firmament, Know, with you, O God immortal, Jesus Christ whom you have sent!
By William J. Irons, 1873
Be Not Afraid
You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand. You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown. If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand before the pow’r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. And if wicked tongues insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
By Bob Dufford
City of God
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light. The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day. The One who has loved us has brightened our way. The Lord of all kindness has called us to be a light for his people to set their hearts free.
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
God is light; in him there is no darkness. Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all. O comfort my people; make gentle your words. Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
O city of gladness, now lift up your voice. Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
By Dan Schutte
For All the Saints
For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, and win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!
And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west; soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest; sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! Alleluia!
By William Walsham How, 1864
In Paradisum
Latin lyrics: In paradisum deducant te Angeli; In tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, Et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, Et cum Lazaro quondam paupere, Aeternam habeas requiem.
English translation: May the angels lead you into paradise; May the martyrs receive you at your arrival, And lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May the choirs of angels receive you, And with Lazarus, once poor, May you have eternal rest.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Shout with gladness, dance for joy. O come before the Lord. And play for him on glad tambourines, and let your trumpet sound.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Rise, O children, from your sleep; your Saviour now has come. He has turned your sorrow to joy, and filled your soul with song.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Glad my soul for I have seen the glory of the Lord. The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised. I know my Saviour lives.
By Dan Schutte
FAQ
What is the Liturgy of the Eucharist?
It is the third part of the funeral Mass and considered the high point of the celebration. It is where people unite their sorrow and love with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Family and friends are united with their loved ones in the closest way possible when they receive Holy Communion.
How many hymns are played at a Catholic funeral?
About five hymns are sung in a Catholic funeral Mass and they are played during the liturgy of the Eucharist. There is the opening hymn, responsorial psalm, offertory hymn, communion hymn, and a closing hymn.
Is it allowed to play the favorite songs of the deceased during the funeral liturgy, even if the music is secular?
No. At a Catholic funeral, only sacred music with sacred words and sound can be used in the liturgy. The selected music should also reflect the character of a funeral, with the themes of heaven, resurrection, faith, hope, salvation, and love. The chosen music may have to be approved by the priest celebrating the funeral. Understandably, your loved one may have liked a certain song in his or her lifetime, but it may not be appropriate for the Mass and can be better played during the wake or other service.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
For some people, the word of God can help find peace and consolation.
Searching the old and new testament for inspiration is a daunting task. Here is a list of the most popular testament readings for funerals. Let it guide you to finding the perfect words for your loved one.
While reviewing the selections, listen to your heart, your family, and your faith. We offer our condolences, and hope you find comfort in this difficult time.
Note: The Catholic Church has formal structures regarding funeral liturgies. Not all denominations follow the same guidelines. For the purposes of this article we default to the Catholic methodology and recommend that you check with your officiant.
Old and New Testament Readings
Many Bible passages are moving and appropriate for a funeral liturgy. Choose from the Old Testament, the New Testament or a combination of both. The chosen passage may be read by a family member or a friend.
Did the deceased leave any instructions or have a favorite scripture passage? Friends and family members may also have suggestions and ideas. In any case, the priest (minister) can advise you and help make a final decision for scripture readings.
Catholic Testament Readings
In the Catholic Church funeral services follow a specific structure. This article will focus on Catholic funerals, but the testament selections can be used for any kind of funeral—even secular services—if you choose.
Time needed: 40 minutes
Roman Catholic funerals follow this structure. Specific selections from the Testament can be found below.
First Reading
The first reading is selected from the Old Testament. It is normally accompanied by a psalm. The family will choose someone to read the reading, and psalm if it will not be sung. The song, if sung, will be performed by the cantor and choir. The cantor may also lead the congregation in a response.
Second Reading
The second reading is selected from the New Testament. The family will choose someone to proclaim the selection.
Gospel
The Gospel reading is taken from the New Testament. The family may select this reading themselves or consult with the priest. The priest or deacon will proclaim the Gospel reading.
Non-biblical readings such as poems cannot take the place of scripture readings. Also, substituting readings from other sources aside from the scripture is not allowed.
Sample Reading
Here is a video of Jenna Bush Hager reading Revelation 21:1-25for her late grandfather George H.W. Bush’s funeral liturgy.
Below are some of the most popular Catholic readings for the funeral rites.
First Reading from the Old Testament
The first reading in Mass is usually taken from the Old Testament, except during the Easter season. More than any other readings, the first reading is always linked or related in some way to the Gospel.
Job 19:1. 23-27
A reading from the Book of Job
Job said: ‘Ah, would that these words of mine were written down, inscribed on some monument with iron chisel and engraving tool, cut into the rock for ever. This I know: that my Avenger lives, and he, the last, will take his stand on earth. After my awaking, he will set me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God. He whom I shall see will take my part: these eyes will gaze on him and find him not aloof.’
The Word of the Lord
Wisdom 3:1–9
A reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
Wisdom 3:1–6. 9 (shorter form)
A reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessing be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
Wisdom 4:7–15
A reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessing be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
Isaiah 25:6–9
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us.
The Word of the Lord
Lamentations 3:17–26
A reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is shut out from peace; I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, ‘My strength is gone, that hope which came from the Lord’. Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood. My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me. This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. ‘My portion is the Lord’ says my soul ‘and so I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.
The Word of the Lord
Daniel 12:1–3
A reading from the prophet Daniel
I, Daniel, was doing penance when I received this message from the Lord: ‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.’
The Word of the Lord
2 Maccabees 12:43–45
A reading from the Second Book of Maccabees
Judas, the leader of the Jews, took a collection from the people individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmae, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an altogether fine and noble action, in which he took full account of the resurrection. For if he had not expected the fallen to rise again it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. This was why he had this atonement sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin.
The Word of the Lord
First Reading from the New Testament (Easter Season)
During Easter Time, the first reading is usually taken from the New Testament—either the Acts of Apostles, which tells the early days of the Church, or the Book of Revelation, which provides a vision of heaven.
You can choose from the following New Testament readings for the first reading instead of an Old Testament reading.
Acts 10:34–43
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘Te truth I have now come to realize,’ he said, ‘is that God does not have favorites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him. ‘It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ—but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterward God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses —we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead— and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
The Word of the Lord
Acts 10:34–36. 42–43
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter proceeded to address the people in these words: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 14:13
A reading from the Book of Apocalypse
I, John heard a voice from heaven say to me, ‘Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.’
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 20:11–21:1
A reading from the Book of Apocalypse
I, John, saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged. The sea gave up all the dead who were in it: Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and everyone was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 21:1–7
A reading from the Book of Apocalypse
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone, and the sea is now no more. And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people; and God himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me: Write, for these words are most faithful and true. And he said to me: It is done. I am Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. To him that thirsteth, I will give of the fountain of the water of life, freely. He that shall overcome shall possess these things, and I will be his God; and he shall be my son.
The Word of the Lord
Second Reading from the New Testament
The second reading is taken from the letters in the New Testament. It follows a semi-continuous pattern, as it comes after the Responsorial Psalm in the funeral Mass. Because of this, the second reading is not always linked to the first reading or the Gospel.
Romans 5:5–11
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 5:17–21
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 6:3–9
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 6:3–4. 8–9
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 8:14–23
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 8:31–35. 37–39
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 14:7–12
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So (then) each of us shall give an account of himself (to God).
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:20–28
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.” But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:20–23
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:51–57
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord
2 Corinthians 4:14–5:1
A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Brothers and Sisters: Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
The Word of the Lord
2 Corinthians 5:1. 6–10
A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord
Philippians 3:20–21
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
The Word of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord
2 Timothy 2:8–13
A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
The Word of the Lord
1 John 3:14–16
A reading from the First Letter of John
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
The Word of the Lord
Testament Readings for the Death of a Child
There are also passages from the Scripture that are appropriate for the burial of a child. You may select from the list below.
First Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 25:6–9
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
The Word of the Lord
Lamentations 3:17–26
A reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is shut out from peace; I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, My strength is gone that hope which came from the Lord. Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood. My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord says my soul and so I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.
The Word of the Lord
First Reading from the New Testament (Easter Season)
Instead of a passage from the Old Testament, the first reading during Easter Time is taken from the New Testament.
Apocalypse 7:9–10. 15–17
A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from* our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The One who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 21:1. 3–5
A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”
The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
The Word of the Lord
Second Reading from the New Testament
Romans 6:3–4. 8–9
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we to might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 14:7–9
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:20–23
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
The Word of the Lord
Ephesians 1:3–5
A reading from the Letter to the Ephesians
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.
The Word of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14. 18
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord
FAQ
What is a funeral liturgy?
The funeral liturgy is the main celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. The liturgy is traditionally celebrated in the church, but it can also be held at a crematorium or funeral chapel. There are two forms possible for a liturgy: a funeral Mass or a funeral liturgy outside Mass.
Can I pick other scripture readings aside from the ones given here?
Yes. You can pick another reading but remember that you should confirm with your priest or officiant to make sure it is an appropriate selection.
Can I replace the scripture reading with a funeral poem?
Following the formal (Catholic) structure, non-biblical readings may not take the place of scripture readings. However, you can use your poems or other readings at another point in the liturgy, have it printed in the service booklet, or read it at the reception.
Is the first reading always taken from the Old Testament?
No. Although the first reading is generally taken from the Old Testament for most of the year, this is not always the case. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the New Testament, particularly the Acts of Apostles or the Book of Revelation.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Cookie
Duration
Description
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
5 months 27 days
This cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
YSC
session
This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_ga
2 years
This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid
1 day
This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Cookie
Duration
Description
IDE
1 year 24 days
Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
