He placed this in his mother’s coffin and for months he had no peace… until a priest told him about a prayer.
For years, many people have believed that placing certain objects in a loved one’s casket is a way to show love. A rosary, a photograph, glasses or even a special garment seem like gestures full of affection. However, some priests with decades of experience accompanying funerals claim that sometimes these actions are born more out of custom or superstition than true faith.
Marina’s story – a name changed to protect her identity – perfectly illustrates this reality.
The story of a daughter who thought she had done everything right
A few years ago, a woman in her early forties approached a priest after her mother’s funeral. Her eyes were red from crying so much and her hands were shaking.
In a broken voice he said:
“Father, I buried my mother six months ago. From that day on, everything in my life began to fall apart. First my health, then my husband left and now I have problems at work. I don’t understand what’s going on.
The priest asked him a simple question:
“Tell me exactly what you did from the time the coffin was in your house.
Marina began to explain every detail. He had covered the mirrors, placed bread and water next to his mother’s photograph, put some rosary beads in the coffin that he liked very much, and for forty days he avoided cleaning the house because it was recommended to him to do so.
As he spoke, the priest understood something important.
Marina had followed every popular custom to the letter. But he had forgotten the most essential thing.
The origin of many funeral customs
Many traditions that seem normal today at funerals were not born within Christianity.
For example:
The coins over the eyes of the deceased come from ancient Greece. They were placed to pay the ferryman Charon, who, according to myth, transported the souls to the world of the dead.
The glass of water with bread has roots in ancient pagan rituals in Eastern Europe. It was believed that the spirit of the deceased returned to the house for a few days and needed food.
Covering mirrors grew out of superstitions that viewed mirrors as spiritual portals where the soul could become trapped.
These practices were passed down for generations until they were mixed with Christian ceremonies, although they are not actually part of biblical teachings.
What the Scriptures Really Teach
In the Bible, funerals are described in a much simpler and deeper way.
When Abraham’s wife Sarah died, the Scriptures say that he wept for her, bought a place to bury her, and gave her to the earth. There is no reference to strange objects, coins or rituals.
In the Gospel of John, something similar happens when Lazarus dies. Jesus himself wept in front of his tomb. That little verse—”Jesus wept”—shows that human pain is not a sin.
Mourning for a loved one is natural. The important thing is not to avoid tears, but not to replace faith with superstitions.
The mistake that many people make
When the priest heard everything Marina had done, he asked her something unexpected:
“Did you have masses celebrated for your mother?”
“No, father.
“Did you ask for prayers for your soul?”
“I didn’t know I had to.
“Did you pray psalms for her?”
“No… no one told me.
Marina had fulfilled all the popular traditions, but she had not done the most important thing: pray for her mother.
The priest explained that, according to Christian teaching, the greatest help we can offer to those who have departed is sincere prayer.
The flowers wither.
The objects stay on the ground.
But prayer is the only thing that really transcends.
The importance of prayer for the deceased
Many saints and spiritual leaders have repeated the same teaching: the prayers of the living can bring comfort and mercy to those who have departed.
Read psalms, ask for Masses, light a candle while praying or simply say from the heart:
“Lord, receive your son and give him eternal rest.”
They are simple gestures, but deeply meaningful.
Prayer connects the living with those who have already crossed the threshold of this life.
The prayer the priest taught him
The priest recommended to Marina a short prayer that anyone can say for their deceased loved ones:
“Lord, receive the soul of your servant in your eternal peace. Forgive their faults, light their way, and grant them rest in your presence.”
Marina began to pray it every day.
Over time, his heart began to find peace.
Tips and recommendations
- Prioritize prayer
Praying for the deceased is the most profound way to accompany them spiritually. - Avoid superstitions
Many folk traditions have no religious or spiritual foundation. - Seek spiritual
guidance If you have questions about what to do during a funeral, consult with a priest or spiritual guide. - Read psalms
or sacred texts These are words that have accompanied entire generations in times of mourning. - Remember with love
Honoring the memory of a loved one also means living with the values that person left.
When someone we love dies, the pain can lead us to act out of habit or fear. However, faith teaches that the most powerful thing is not objects or rituals, but prayer born from the heart.
Because true love does not end in the coffin.