The Funeral Liturgy of the Church celebrates the Paschal Mystery of Christ.  Those who in baptism have become one with the dead and risen Christ will pass with him from death to life, to be purified in soul and welcomed into the fellowship of the saints in heaven.  They look forward in blessed hope to his second coming and the bodily resurrection of the dead.  The Church celebrates the Eucharistic sacrifice of Christs Passover for the dead, and offers prayers and petitions for them.  In the communion of all Christs members, the prayers which bring spiritual help to some may bring to others a consoling hope.
-from the Introduction to the Rite of Funeral

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