V.   Sacraments

Remembrance is the eleventh of the twelve (12) Apostolic Life Sacraments also known as “The Twelve”, “The Twelve Apostles” and “The Means”. Remembrance is granted and administered after death and prior to the sacrament of Veneration and the burial or disposal of the body in accordance with these canons and associated approved liturgy.

The purpose of the sacrament of Remembrance is the formal funerary rites to an incumbent in accordance with these canons and associated approved liturgy. The meaning of Remembrance is derived from two Latin words re meaning “property, act, quality” and membrana meaning “skin, flesh, parchment”. Hence Remembrance literally means “the actions, qualities of the departed flesh”.

The sacrament of Remembrance comprises the completion of three separate and deliberate Acts in order: Act One being the Act of Conclusion, Act Two being the Act of Termination of Flesh and Act Three being the Act of Emancipation of Spirit.

Remembrance is both the sacrament and ceremony that remembers the deceased, their life and provides an opportunity for those in attendance to speak, celebrate and honor the memory of the departed.