The Christian Funeral

For the burial practice Christianity adopted the Roman funerals with very strict, ancient and hygienic-sanitary rules, however with different vision. While the Roman had the notion that the dead will go to a dark kingdom, the Christians believe that death is not the end but the beginning of a new life, therefore it's the real dies natalis where their decease brethren in Christ finds joy and hope in the resurrection and eternal life.

During the burial ceremony members of the family were present and the rites was officiated by a deacon or "a presbiterious". In the case of distinguished members of the Church such as the hierarchy of the Church or martyrs, the funerals were officiated by the Bishops or the Pope himself. Generally after the prayers, hymns and rituals, the deceased will be accompanied with hymns and songs during the procession towards the tomb prepared beforehand. The deceased was carefully wrapped in a shroud like that of Jesus, without the coffin and sprinkled with balsamic substances before the burial. After the deceased was laid inside the tomb, it will be closed with a marble slab or with a cutting stone or clay. The tomb then sealed with white cement and finally the inscription of the names, dedications and Christian symbols.

In the two side of the tomb there will be a small holes where the oil lamps will be collocated.

Cubiculum

Inside the cubiculum we will find "loculo" and "Arcosolium". The arcosolium is the main chamber were important peoples were buried. Usually these tombs are reserved to the well-off families, hierarchy of the Church or Martyrs.

Inside the arcosolium sometimes we find "sarcophagus". Generally were beautifully decorated with Christian’s symbols or even pagan symbols. The chamber will be closed with a marble slab and sealed with white cement and lastly names of the of the dead were coined.

Inside the Cubiculum, often we find more than one "loculo", these were the slaves or liberti (those set free). The conversion of the rich family to Christianity changed the attitude of these newly converted family towards the slaves. They allowed these slaves to be buried in the family tombs because they considered them as their brethren in Christ and allowed many more Christians to be buried underground.

As part of the tradition, every year members of the family shall visit the tombs to celebrate the death anniversary of the deceased parents or the martyrs, it is called dies natalis. Generally they will celebrate the Holy Eucharist or offer hymns and prayers. After the prayers members of the family will gather and had the family banquet (refrigerium).

Refrigerium

Refrigerium was an old practice done by the pagans, because they are afraid that if they don't feed the dead people every year, they will come out and disturb the living people. In necropolis we often find a small hole left opened right on top of the head of the dead person to make sure that the food will reach the mouth of the deceased.

The Christians continued this same tradition but interpreted it with a Christian principle. The Christians believe that one day the body will be resurrected and all will be raised from the death and saved by Christ to eternal life. All will be in communion in the presence of God and there will be the Celestial banquet in heaven for all.

This practice was then prohibited by St. Ambrosius of Milan and later the Church declared 2nd of November as the souls day, to remember all the saints and those who have died. The "mass intentions" practice nowadays by the Church might have originated from this tradition too.