Those who follow the way of Jesus shall, body and soul, be forever in heaven in the presence of God.  The body has been the temple of the Holy Spirit and should be honored as such.  The wake and vigil prayer is a time to tell stories of the loved one and recall what Jesus told us about eternal life.  The funeral Mass is the ultimate prayer to commend the dead to God’s merciful love, to plead for the forgiveness of their sins, and to express our belief in resurrection.  We will rise in our bodies so we reverently prepare the place for the body to await resurrection.  It is our obligation to pray for those who have died and people are encouraged to offer Masses for the dead.