EASTERN ORTHODOX PROTESTANT The  Orthodox  funeral  service  includes  one  Apostolic  reading  and   a Gospel  reading.  There  is  a  number  of  slightly  varying  services  for laymen, monks, priests, and infants. In the cemetery, a service is read called Trisagion of the Dead. When possible, the dead is buried facing east, in expectation of the Coming of the  Lord.  The  soil  sprinkled  on  the  coffin  signifies  man’s  earthly nature and the passing of events. The color of the vestments for funerals should be white as a sign of the hope and joy of the resurrection. The full liturgy requires the celebration of the eucharist and consists of  three  parts.  The  first  is  a  service  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the deceased (or the funeral home). The second is celebrated in the RMF or  church.  The  third  is  celebrated  in  union  with  the  interment  and takes place at the gravesite. All three parts are joined together in the form of a funeral procession. Singing at allotted intervals  and  places such as at the beginning of each part of the service as well as during each of the transfers of the body. Each part also includes at least one of the prayers for the dead. Once in the RMF, the coffin is opened and the body is situated so to face the altar. A memorial to the dead is the gathering and serving of meals known as  makarial;  that  is,  meals  in  memory  of,  that  are  held  by  many following the burial. The solemn interment of the dead is a practice found in almost all the great religions. Christian funeral rites express the church’s care for the departed, its belief in the resurrection, and its reverence for the body as sharing in redemption. In  most  Protestant  churches  the  funeral  takes  place  in  stages,  at the funeral home, in the RMF or church, and at the burial site. The first, at the funeral home, generally consists of an informal visit and includes readings from the Bible, and prayers for  the deceased and the family. The second, in the RMF or church, will vary according to the various Protestant faith groups but typically includes a call to worship, a brief biographical sketch of the deceased, readings from the Bible, a homily interpreting the meaning of death, life, and the resurrection,   and   instrumental   and   or   vocal   music,   a   pastoral prayer, and a final benediction. The third part, at the burial site, is often a brief service comprised of scripture, committal, and prayer. ROMAN CATHOLIC GENERAL MEMORIAL SERVICE In  adapting  funeral  celebrations,  every  effort  should  be  made  to  be aware of the circumstance of the deceased’s life and death, the sorrow of  the  relative  and  their  needs.  In  planning,  the  chaplain  and  RP should   consider   many   situations   and   the   wishes   of   the   family. Relatives and friends may be chosen to be readers and to bring up the gifts in preparation for the Eucharist. Roman Catholic rites are routinely marked with simplicity; however, it may be necessary to explain some of the symbolism that reflects the church’s  attitude  toward  death.  Vestments  may  be  black,  violet,  or white;  in  most  instances  white  is  used.  Also  used  is  Holy  water,  a white covering over the coffin, and the Paschal candle is placed near the coffin. You  use  an  Order  of  Christian  Funerals  as  guidance.  You  must  pay attention to the details within the celebrated Mass and the rite of final commendation or the actual burial. The new  funeral  rite  gives three types of service—the traditional one with prayers at home, in an RMF or church, and at the graveside. There is a choice of readings, prayers, and  chants,  prayers  for   the  mourners.  The  rite  expresses  Christian hope in a share in Christ’s resurrection and pleasure of God’s presence in his kingdom. An  adapted  memorial  interfaith  service  normally  consists  of  the following parts and often may include military honors: Prelude Opening Sentences Hymn Invocation Responsive Reading Special Music Scripture Lesson Address or Homily Moment of Silence Taps Hymn (The Navy Hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”) Benediction Postlude Figure 1-7.—Christian funerals. Liturgical Laws Some churches conform to ecclesiastical ordinances that mandate and give credence as to why a  particular  faith  group  does  what  it  does.  In  the Roman  Catholic  church,  for  example,  the  Code  of Canon   Law   pertains.   In   the   Episcopal   church, however, the laws are found in The Book of Common Prayer. 1-19