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difference between 'funeral' and 'rites'

difference between 'funeral' and 'rites'

For GCSE revision...

what is a 'funeral', and what is a 'funeral rite', and what are 'rite(s)'??
So CONFUSED!! :rolleyes:

Reply 1

Clareicles

a rite is generally defined as 'a ritual which occurs at key moments in life' hence why there are marriage rites, funeral rites, initiation rites, and rites which occur in early infancy (i.e baptism)

Funerals are 'death rites' in a way and thus involve the ritual which occurs at death (a key moment in life)

Does this make sense??

Reply 2

limetang

Generally speaking a rite happens while the person is still living, a funeral happens when they are dead.

Hence the idea that last rites are offered to a dying person, not a dead person.