Francis simplifies the funeral rites of popes: without three coffins and with the possibility of being buried outside the Vatican

Pope Francis has modified some of the funeral rites of the popes and among the novelties introduced are the confirmation of death not in the room but in the chapel, the immediate deposition inside the coffin, the exhibition to the faithful without the catafalque and the elimination of the traditional three coffins of cypress, lead and oak.

This is how it reads in the new edition of the ‘Order of Roman Pontifical Funerals’, made public this Wednesday, which regulates the funeral of a pontiff and was approved on April 29, 2024 with the new wishes of Pope Francis to “simplify and adapt some rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the Bishop of Rome would better express the faith of the Church in the risen Christ”.

Another novelty “is the introduction of the necessary indications for a possible burial in a place other than the Vatican basilica”, as already announced by Francisco, who wants to be buried in the basilica of Saint Mary Major of Rome.