Funeral Protocol for Clergy in the Archdiocese and Traditional Old Anglo-Catholic Church MAIN PAGE | COUNCIL OF THE CLERGY | LATIN MASS Following traditional Church customs and practices, the following is the protocol for vesture of deceased clergy of the Metropolitan See at their funeral. The deceased clergy is traditionally vested by priests when possible. The casket should be covered with a black or purple pall (not white). Otherwise, Requiem masses for clergy is the same as that for the laity, using the appropriate prayers for priests and bishops. VESTURE OF DECEASED DEACONS The bier (or casket) is laid in the church for the Requiem mass with the head closest to the altar (where the laity is positions with the feet closest to the altar). This is for all ranks of clergy. The Deacon shall be vested in penitential mass vestments, which shall include black cassock, black rope or band cincture (optional), amice, alb, white rope cincture, purple maniple on the left arm, purple Deacon's stole over the left shoulder, and purple Dalmatic. Upon the feet shall be black sock and black shoes. Upon the head is placed the black biretta if space permits. In the hands shall be placed a crucifix or rosary. VESTURE OF DECEASED PRIESTS The vesture of deceased priests is the same as that of Deacons, except that the purple stole is worn in the manner of a priest, that is around the neck and crossed in the form of an X over the chest. Also, instead of a Dalmatic, the purple Chasuble is used. If the priest is a Canon, Dean, or Archdeacon, the cassock and fascia should be purple. The socks for Deans and Archdeacons should be purple. The biretta may have a purple or red tuft and, optionally, matching purple or red piping. VESTURE OF DECEASED BISHOPS The deceased bishop shall be vested in purple cassock, purple band cincture (fascia), amice, alb, rope cincture, purple maniple on the left arm, pectoral cross over the alb, purple stole worn in the manner of a bishop (around the neck and not crossed in the front as a priest), purple Dalmatic, and purple Chasuble. If the Bishop is a Metropolitan or otherwise so entitled, the pallium is placed over the chasuble. The plain white simplex mitre shall be placed on the head if there is room. Else it shall be placed in the hands, laying against the torso. The purple episcopal gloves are placed on the hands, and the epicopal ring is placed over the glove on the right ring finger (4th finger). In the hands is placed a crucifix or rosary. On the feet shall be the footwear the bishop for mass, i.e., either purple episcopal sandals and purple buskins, or purple prelatial socks and red or black slippers or shoes, according to the use of the individual bishop, in accordance with tradition and Metropolitan canons. The crosier, as a symbol of jurisdiction, is not placed in the casket (or on the bier), or anywhere near it. Neither is it carried in front of or by the bier (or casket). VESTURE OF CLERGY IN RELIGIOUS ORDERS Clergy in religious orders shall be vested as above, according to their rank, except that the biretta is only worn if permitted by the rule of their order, and in lieu of the cassock shall be their habit. In the case of orders with a rule prescribing certain footwear, that footwear is used in lieu of that prescribed above. Main Page | About Us | History | News | Contact | Sacraments | Links