A Papal Funeral

The ceremonies attending the death, election and coronation of a Supreme Pontiff have centuries of tradition behind them. 

The "Novendiali", the nine days of official mourning of the Pope's death, is carried out in accordance with the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the Order of Service for the Burial of the Roman Pontiff. During this time, the Swiss Guards stand their watch with their swords lowered as a sign of mourning. The actual burial must take place no sooner than four days, and no later than six days, after the death of the Pope. 

The Cardinal Camerlengo must personally destroy the "Fisherman's Ring" of the deceased Pope in front of the other Cardinals. 

This ring is a gold signet ring with the name of the Pontiff engraved around the circumference, and the figure of Saint Peter casting his net from a fisherman's boat engraved in the center. This ring, more than any other single item, signifies the Papal authority. Its destruction by the Cardinal Camerlengo signifies that, for the time being, there is no such authority. 

It is also the responsibility of the Cardinal Camerlengo to seal off the Papal apartments. Other papal property, such as the summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, is also placed into special custody. When the new Pope is elected, these will be handed over to him intact. 

Traditionally, the Penitentiaries, or priest confessors of Saint Peter's, dress the Pope in his formal Papal robes for his burial. Two veils of white silk are placed over his face and hands. 

The body of the Pope is then placed inside three coffins, encased one within the other. The first coffin is of cypress wood. The cypress coffin is placed inside a coffin made of lead. It is on the lead coffin that there is an inscription of the Pope's name, and the dates of his pontificate. This lead coffin, containing the one of cypress, is then placed inside a coffin made of elm. This closed, unadorned coffin is placed on steps at the entrance to Saint Peter's where it will be on display for the hundreds of thousands of people who will come to the Square to pay their last respects, and to pray for the repose of his soul. 

Before the Pope is interred within his tomb beneath Saint Peter's, an elegy is read in Latin, recounting the principal acts of his pontificate.