Mourning and Burial Customs: Christianity

Chapter VIII: Masses And Prayers For Various Needs And Occasions And Masses For The Dead

Bishops may call on Catholics to hold special masses for world peace, human rights, harvest, equality, the right to life, and other special issues. Ritual and votive masses are not held on certain church holidays. Funeral masses can be held most days, but not on a few holy days. A homily may be given, but not a eulogy. Other masses for the dead are held on weekdays, including when family first hears news of the death and on the first anniversary.
Topic: Funeral rites and ceremonies, Requiems Language: English Lexile: 1720 http://www.usccb.org

Requiem Service

Armenian Churches celebrate requiem services after the funeral on the morning after internment, the week after internment, the fortieth day, and the first anniversary. The days are counted from burial, rather than the day the person died. The mourning period lasts forty days. On five memorial days throughout the year, a common requiem service is also held. The blessing of Madagh is a requiem service followed by the distribution of food to the poor. Find out why the Armenian Church prays for the dead.
Topic: Funeral rites and ceremonies, Requiems Language: English   Lexile: 1300 http://stjamesevanston.org

The Mexican Day of the Dead

The spirits believed to be visiting on the Day of the Dead aren't there to scare or haunt people. They are beloved family members and friends who have died and are coming to visit. El Dia de los Muertos is a national holiday in Mexico and an assimilation of pre-Columbian and Catholic beliefs. Samhain is a Celtic festival of witches, bonfires, and spirits. The Nahua of Mesoamerica believed life was a dream and had extensive beliefs about the afterlife. The Catholic Church used All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in assimilate pagan rituals into Catholic beliefs about the dead.
Topic: All Souls' Day Language: English Lexile: 1250 http://www.learnnc.org