For a cardinal, the last rites are a bit more elaborate than the ones accorded the rank-and-file faithful. But liturgically, the funeral is essentially the same. The rules are spelled out in a ...

Each time I do a funeral, I make some simple concessions before arriving at the church. The sermon will be 20 minutes or less. Religious ser­vices, in general, meet with resistance. Nobody wants them ...

As is customary in Amish tradition, guests brought food, not flowers. A hymn was read in 16th century German, but there was no singing. The dead were laid in simple pine coffins and dressed in ...