During these rites the Christian community affirms its faith in the communion of saints and the resurrection of the dead.  The family and friends are helped in their time of sorrow with prayer and song.  Thus they express present grief even as they hold to the Church’s lasting hope.
 
There are three Stations: 
 
The Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy (usually a Mass but for pastoral reasons the Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass can be chosen) and the Rite of Committal/Graveside.  
 
A.) THE VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED 

At the Vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence…In this time of loss the family and community turn to God’s word as the source of faith and hope, as light and life in the face of darkness and death. Consoled by the redeeming Word of God and by the abiding presence of Christ and His Spirit, the assembly at the Vigil calls upon the Father of mercy to receive the deceased into the kingdom of light and peace.                   (Order of Christian Funerals, 56) 
 
The Vigil, often referred to as a “Wake,” and takes place on the evening before the funeral liturgy and normally at the Funeral Home. The Vigil for the Deceased is a Liturgy of the Word with Opening and Closing Prayers. The Holy Rosary may substitute the Intercessions.
 
B) THE FUNERAL LITURGY 
 
The Funeral Liturgy is the central prayer of the Christian community for the deceased. Usually the Funeral Liturgy is a Mass, but in certain pastoral situations the decision may be made to celebrate the Funeral Liturgy without Mass, i.e., with a Liturgy of the Word and the Commendation and Farewell. A Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass may be celebrated in the Funeral Home Chapel but with St. Anne’s music ministry—canned music is not allowed. A funeral Mass must be held at our church or chapel and is not allowed in the funeral home chapel.

C) RITE OF COMMITTAL 
The Rite of Committal is the Church’s final act of prayer in the presence of the deceased. These rites are held at the place of burial or entombment. The prayers are brief and bring the entire liturgical process to a conclusion. 
 
Usually, the burial follows immediately after the Funeral Liturgy. The Rite of Committal also includes appropriate prayers for situations in which cremation is chosen.