Seamus Hammond
Incense is burned at Catholic funerals as a sign of honour and reverence for the deceased, who became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism. The incense used is typically frankincense (gum olibanum) with the addition of myrrh, benzoin, and other resinous and aromatic ingredients, creating a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma. The smoke of burning incense is seen by the church as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbol of purification and sanctification, honour to the deceased, prayer |
| Incense types | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, copal, styrax, opoponax |
| Container | Thurible or censer |
| Usage | Entrance procession, Gospel reading, offertory, elevation of the Eucharist, benedictions, funerals, special services |
| Allergies | Some people may be allergic to incense |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to honour the deceased
Incense is used at Catholic funerals to honour the deceased. It is a centuries-old tradition that adds solemnity to the proceedings. During the funeral Mass, the presider will incense the coffin as a sign of prayer and reverence for the deceased, who is considered a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism. This ritual symbolises the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and serves as a sacred reminder of the presence of God and the resurrection.
The incense burned at Catholic funerals is typically a blend of frankincense (gum olibanum) and myrrh, with additional aromatic ingredients such as benzoin, styrax, opoponax, and essential oils. Frankincense fills the air with a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma, while myrrh offers a richer, smokier, and slightly bitter scent. The blend may vary, but these two resins are the most commonly used in Catholic churches.
The container used for burning incense is called a thurible or censer, usually made of metal and suspended on chains. The swinging motion of the thurible helps distribute the fragrant smoke throughout the church, creating an aromatic cloud that envelops the congregation in a spiritual experience. The act of burning incense is an art, steeped in ritual and reverence, with each step carefully performed by the clergy.
In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to use incense to purify the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was held. This ancient symbol of purification and sanctification is also mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation, where the smoke of incense represents the worship offered to God in heaven. Thus, the use of incense in Catholic funerals carries a rich symbolic meaning, honouring the deceased and uniting their prayers with those of the saints.
While incense plays a significant role in Catholic funeral traditions, it is important to be cautious of any potential allergies among the congregation. In some cases, the use of incense may be foregone out of consideration for those with allergies, ensuring that the ceremony remains respectful and comfortable for all in attendance.
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It symbolises prayers rising to heaven
Incense is burned at Catholic funerals as a symbol of prayer and reverence for the deceased. The incense used is typically a blend of frankincense (gum olibanum) and myrrh, with the possible addition of benzoin, styrax, opoponax, and other aromatic ingredients and essential oils. This blend creates a unique and recognisable aroma that fills the church during the funeral service.
The act of burning incense during Catholic funerals is steeped in centuries-old traditions and symbolism. As the incense burns, its fragrant smoke is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising up to Heaven. This symbolism is beautifully captured in Psalm 141:2, where it says, "Let my prayer be set before you like incense, and the lifting up of my hands like an evening sacrifice." The image of incense as a representation of prayer is further reinforced in the Book of Revelation, where it describes an angel offering incense before God, and the smoke of the incense rising with the prayers of the saints.
During the funeral mass, the priest or celebrant will incense the coffin, honouring the deceased as a temple of the Holy Spirit through baptism. This ritual is a powerful demonstration of the belief that the prayers of the congregation are lifted up to Heaven, uniting with the prayers of the saints, as they entrust their loved one to the Lord.
The use of incense in Catholic rituals extends beyond funerals and can be traced back to ancient times. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to use incense to purify the Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Incense is also mentioned in Exodus 30:1-10, where Aaron is commanded to burn fragrant incense before the Lord, symbolising the perpetual presence of prayer.
The sweet-smelling haze created by burning incense in Catholic funerals serves as a reminder of the ancient symbolism associated with it. It signifies the purification of the altar and the sanctification of the ceremony, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and spiritual devotion. The rising incense smoke visually represents the prayers and worship of the faithful ascending towards Heaven, uniting with the divine.
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Incense is burned during the final commendation
The practice of burning incense during Catholic funeral services adds an extra layer of solemnity to the proceedings. The incense used is typically a blend of frankincense (gum olibanum) with the addition of myrrh, benzoin, and other resinous and aromatic ingredients, such as styrax and opoponax, as well as essential oils. Frankincense has a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma, while myrrh offers a rich, smoky, and slightly bitter scent.
The container used for burning incense is called a thurible or a censer, and it is typically a metal container suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke. During the funeral Mass, the presider will incense the coffin as a sign of prayer and reverence for the deceased, who is believed to have become a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism.
The use of incense during Catholic funeral rituals is not just about the pleasant aroma it produces but also holds spiritual significance. It symbolises purification and sanctification, as mentioned in the Old Testament, where God instructed Moses to use incense to purify the Tabernacle that housed the Ark of the Covenant. Similarly, in Exodus 30:1-10, Aaron is instructed to burn fragrant incense to sanctify the lamps: "And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it, and when Aaron sets up the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations".
Thus, the burning of incense during the final commendation at Catholic funerals serves as a symbolic act of honour, reverence, and prayer for the deceased, while also adding solemnity and spiritual depth to the funeral rituals.
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The coffin is incensed
Incense is a key component of Catholic funeral rites, symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven and sanctifying the ceremony. During the Funeral Mass, the presider will incense the coffin as a sign of prayer and reverence for the deceased, who was baptized and became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
The type of incense used in Catholic funerals is typically a blend, with frankincense (gum olibanum) and myrrh forming the base. Additional ingredients may include benzoin, styrax, opoponax, and other aromatic substances, as well as essential oils. The resulting aroma is complex and unique, a blend of sweet, citrusy, piney, smoky, and slightly bitter notes.
The act of incensing the coffin involves burning the incense in a metal container called a thurible or censer. The container is suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke. This ritual object adds solemnity to the proceedings, visually marking the ceremony as a special and sacred occasion.
The tradition of burning incense during Catholic funeral rites has deep roots, with references in the Old Testament and the New Testament's Book of Revelation. In Exodus 30, God instructs Moses to build an altar of incense, and in Revelation 8:3-4, an angel stands at the altar with a golden censer, mingling incense with the prayers of the saints before God. These biblical foundations lend theological significance to the act of incensing the coffin during Catholic funerals.
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Incense blends used: frankincense and myrrh
Incense is used during Catholic funeral masses as a sign of honour to the deceased. The burning of incense is an ancient symbol of purification and sanctification. It is also mentioned in the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, as an image of the worship offered to God in heaven.
Frankincense and myrrh are two types of incense that stand out in the Catholic Church. Frankincense, a gum resin, has a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma. It is often blended with myrrh, which offers a rich, smoky, and slightly bitter scent. This blend of frankincense and myrrh is commonly used in Catholic churches and is also significant in Christian practice, signifying the birth and foreshadowing the death of Jesus Christ.
The act of burning incense during Catholic funeral masses holds symbolic meaning. As the incense burns, it releases fragrant smoke that fills the church, symbolising the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is referenced in the Bible, specifically in Psalm 141:2, which reads, "Let my prayer be set before you like incense, and the lifting up of my hands like an evening sacrifice."
During a funeral mass, the priest will incense the coffin, honouring the deceased and their dwelling place of the Holy Spirit through baptism. This ritual is a powerful demonstration of reverence and faith, where the aromatic smoke serves as a physical representation of the prayers and devotion of those gathered.
The blend of frankincense and myrrh plays a crucial role in creating the solemn atmosphere of a Catholic funeral. The sweet and citrusy notes of frankincense combine with the smoky and bitter nuances of myrrh, resulting in a unique and instantly recognisable aroma. This distinct scent becomes intertwined with the memories of the funeral, evoking a sense of spirituality and connection to something greater than ourselves.
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Frequently asked questions
The incense burned is typically a blend of frankincense (gum olibanum) with myrrh, benzoin, and other aromatic ingredients.
Incense is burned as a symbol of prayer and reverence for the deceased. It signifies the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
Frankincense has a sweet, citrusy, and slightly piney aroma. Myrrh has a rich, smoky, and slightly bitter scent.
Incense is burned during the final commendation at the Funeral Mass. It may also be used during the entrance procession, at the Gospel reading, at the offertory, and during the elevation of the Eucharist.
Yes, in cases where people are allergic to incense, it can be omitted from the funeral service.
