Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
back
Church Internals
Church History


Randy Richmond wrote:

Hi, guys —

  • Should we bless and make the Sign of the Cross over a non-Catholic's dead body at the wake and funeral?

Randy

  { Should we bless and make the Sign of the Cross over a non-Catholic's body at a wake or funeral? }

Eric replied:

Hi, Randy —

Good question.

Only a priest or deacon can officially bless a person in a public capacity. To bless, in the manner of a cleric, could invite confusion or scandal.

If you want to inconspicuously make a small Sign of the Cross on the forehead, that is fine.

Eric

Randy replied:

Thanks, Eric!

  • I understand, but what about making the Sign of the Cross after viewing the body in the same way we make the Sign of the Cross before and after our prayers?

Randy

Mary Ann replied:

Randy —

That is fine, and to be encouraged. Never hesitate to Cross yourself in public!

Mary Ann

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.