Final answer:
The Catholic funeral rites consist of a wake, funeral mass, and graveside ceremony, which exemplify societal traditions and respect for the deceased across various cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Catholic funeral rites have three parts: a wake, a funeral mass, and a graveside ceremony. These rites reflect a respect for the deceased and the belief in the afterlife, which is common across various cultures and religions. The wake, also known as a vigil, is an opportunity for friends and family to gather and remember the deceased. The funeral mass is a more formal liturgical service held in the church to offer prayers and celebrate the life of the person who has passed. Lastly, the graveside ceremony includes the final commendation and the rite of committal, which takes place at the burial site. Funeral rites such as these are a poignant reminder of societal traditions and the ways in which we honor our deceased, drawing on ancestral customs and the mos maiorum or 'the way of the ancestors'. Different cultures have adapted these in unique ways, from intentional burials that suggest ritualistic practice, to elaborate ceremonies with grave goods, processions, and libation rituals to show reverence and escort the deceased to the afterlife.