In a Roman Catholic funeral Mass, where is the casket for a lay person usually placed?

• A. Head-end toward the altar
• B. Left side toward the altar
• C. Away from the altar
• D. Foot-end toward the altar

Answer: (D)

In a Roman Catholic funeral Mass, the casket is positioned in the sanctuary area with the feet toward the altar. This setup keeps the deceased inside the sacred space of the Mass and aligns the body with the liturgical focus around the altar and crucifix, reinforcing the service’s flow and reverence. It also facilitates the clergy’s movements and prayers around the casket during the rites. Placing the casket away from the sanctuary or oriented differently would disrupt the traditional liturgical arrangement, so the foot-end toward the altar is the standard choice.