Peace be with you. There are topics many avoid out of fear, superstition, or grief. But when it comes to saying goodbye to a loved one, knowing what to do—and what not to do—can prevent mistakes that later leave guilt, confusion, and anguish.
For years, many priests have witnessed the same scene repeat itself: family members who, with genuine love, place objects inside the coffin, believing they are “helping” the deceased. However, in the Christian tradition, saying goodbye is not about providing the person with “things,” but about helping the soul detach from the material and be accompanied by prayer.
Because the problem isn’t the object itself… but the message that object conveys:
“These things still belong to you. You still need this. Don’t leave completely.”
And that message, even if born of love, can become a burden.
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