What do priests use to shake water on caskets at funerals?

Answer 1

The 'smoke' that comes from the priest's 'thurible' or 'censer' is a mixture of self-igniting charcoal and incense - mostly frankincense and myrrh. Incense is symbolic as a sign of reverence and sanctification, and as the smoke rises, it represents the elevation of the spirit towards God.

As with many manifest acts of the Anglo/Catholic faith, there are often many roots that lie in practicalities of life during the time of Christ. Often, bodies had been carried long distances before they were prepared for burial. The odour could at times be overwhelming. Added to this was the odour of the people who gathered for the service. The heavy oil of the incense used, easily permeated the chapels, thus hiding some of the combined odours. Many pagan rites of that period, incense was used for that very reason, thus it would be understandable that such a practicality would extend to a Christo/Judaic service.

Answer 2

The canister hanging from a chain is referred to as either a thurible or censer. Inside is a mixture of charcoal and Resins, such as Frankincense, Amber, and Myrrh. There can be elements of Patchouli, Lavender, Cassia and other items as well. Most Anglo/Catholic thurifers use a quality mix consisting of only Frankincense and Myrrh, plus small circular charcoal briquettes, which contain small amounts of gun powder, which continually sparks, thus heating the charcoal.

Incense is used as a sign of reverence, offering, and sanctification. It symbolises our respect for the deceased, who has begun their journey to The Lord, and whose body will rise again.

This follows in accordance with numerous Biblical passages, possibly the most notable one being Revelation 8:2-4: Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; And the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.

At the funeral you may also see the celebrant sprinkle water upon the coffin from a stick-like object with a ball at the end. This is called an aspergillum and is used to sprinkle Holy Water for the purpose of symbolic purification. This is derived from Leviticus.

Answer 3

Aspergellium or holy water sprinkler