The Origins of the Burning Chapel
We’re all familiar with the term “burning chapel” (often referred to in English by the French equivalent “chapelle ardente”), which is an integral part of our funeral traditions.
A burning chapel is a temporary place specially designed for the body of the deceased to lie in state until the funeral ceremony. This is where loved ones come to keep vigil and pay their respects.
But what does “burning chapel” mean? Why does it have this very special name? Find out more about the origins of the burning chapel and its place at the heart of modern funeral rites.
The burning chapel in the Middle Ages
In medieval times, the deceased were usually laid to rest at home. However, in the case of a priest or a public figure, the body of the deceased would lie in state in the chapel instead. In this way, a larger number of visitors could come to pay their respects.
In such cases, numerous candles were used to illuminate the visitation area. This gave rise to the term “burning chapel”. This practice was in fact used for the majority of royal funeral ceremonies in the late Middle Ages.
The first written notes on the subject appear in the account of the funeral of French King Louis X, in 1316. It speaks of two burning chapels built at Saint-Denis and Notre-Dame to mark the monarch’s death.
Nevertheless, it is in the account of the funeral of René d’Anjou, who died in 1480, that the expression “chapelle ardente” is first noted.
| Note: The term “chapelle ardente” must not be confused with “chambre ardente“, which refers to a 16th-century French inquisitorial court, responsible for judging crimes against the state. |
The burning chapel of modern times
Today, a visitation parlour could be considered a modern-day burning chapel. However, while the coffin in a visitation parlour is often placed close to a wall, the coffin lying in state in a burning chapel is generally placed right in the middle of the room, allowing visitors to walk around both sides of the coffin.
The casket models used for viewing the decease in a burning chapel are fitted with a lid that can be completely removed so that the deceased is not hidden on one side by the open lid. In fact, this type of coffin is often referred to as a “priest’s coffin”, most likely in reference to the traditional use of this type of viewing.
The burning chapel can be held in a place of worship, but also in other significant locations such as a city hall, a parliament building, a museum or even an amphitheatre. In all cases, the coffin is usually placed on a raised and decorated funeral platform, known as a catafalque.
A few examples of famous burning chapels:
Queen Elizabeth II: September 15-19, 2022, the Queen of England lay in state (i.e., in a burning chapel) in London’s Westminster Hall. The line to the coffin stretched for 8 kilometres, and some visitors had to wait up to 30 hours to spend a few seconds with the late sovereign.
Maurice Richard: On May 30, 2000, some 100,000 people came to pay tribute to the Rocket at the Molson Centre, which was transformed into a burning chapel to honour the deceased.
Pope Benedict XVI: January 2-4, some 65,000 faithful bid farewell to the head of the Catholic Church, who lay in state for 3 days in a burning chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
| In memory of Michel Côté, who lay in state at the Monument-National in Montreal on June 8. |
Sources :
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapelle_ardente
https://www.lagentiane.org/chroniques/est-une-chapelle-ardente-3714/
https://www.biographi.ca/fr/bio/richard_maurice_22F.html
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chambre_ardente
READ MOREFuneral Prearrangements: How to Prepare?
Pre-planning funeral arrangements is a simple way to give you and your loved ones peace of mind. With funeral pre-planning, you can make sure that your wishes are known, understood and respected following your death. As for your loved ones, this short process will relieve them of a financial and logistical burden.
Planning alone or with your loved ones?
In making your arrangements in advance, you will decide how your death will be observed by your loved ones. This includes the more technical details, such as how the body will be disposed of and where you will be commemorated. However, you can also include any ritual or spiritual requests you may have.
Since your pre-arrangements will dictate the way the final good-byes will proceed, it’s a good idea to involve your loved ones in the planning process. In doing so, you can inform them of your expectations and they can discuss with you how they would like to honour your memory.
In this way, you can make sure that your ceremony is a reflection of who you are and that your loved ones will be able to mourn in their own way.
What questions should I ask?
During your funeral pre-arrangements, our advisor will discuss three topics with you:
- Disposal of the body
- Services and other considerations
- Rituals and wishes
The questions listed below will guide your thinking and make sure you cover all the points that will be discussed when planning your pre-arrangements.
Disposal of the body
How the body will be disposed of is the first detail to be discussed. It will influence all the decisions to follow.
Here are the questions to ask yourself:
- Would you like your body to be buried or would you prefer cremation?
- Where will your final resting place be, the cemetery or the columbarium?
Services and other considerations
Your loved ones will have many details and providers to deal with when you die. However, a number of decisions can be made now to relieve them of this pressure.
Here are the questions to ask yourself:
- Would you like your body to be viewed? If so, would you prefer to rent or buy a casket?
- If you opt for burial, what type of coffin would you like?
- If you opt for cremation, what type of urn would you like?
- Would you like to reserve a parlor for visitation? If so, for how long?
- Would you like to reserve a reception room for the funeral meal?
- Do you want to budget now for expenses such as obituary notices, flowers, buffet, etc.?
Rituals and wishes
Once you have discussed the more technical aspects of the pre-arrangements, it’s time to tackle the ceremonial aspects.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Would you like the farewell ceremony to take place on site or would you prefer a religious service at the church?
- Are there any photos, music or texts you would like to include in the ceremony?
- Who will speak at the ceremony?
- Are there any special rituals or traditions you would like to see respected?
- Do your loved ones have any requests regarding the ceremony?
After the preparations comes the planning
Once you have explored these various questions, you can make an appointment with us to plan your funeral pre-arrangements.
Of course, all this is just food for thought. You don’t have to do any of this to meet with one of our advisors. We are here to guide you through the process and can discuss each of these points with you to find the option that suits you best.
Sources:
https://www.fcfq.coop/chroniques/dossier-special-les-arrangements-prealables-funeraires-2332/
READ MORE