한국과 일본의 상장례 문화 비교 ‒가톨릭 장례미사와 위령기도를 중심으로‒

Abstract

This study compared and discussed the funeral rites of Korea and Japan, particularly, Catholic funeral culture and prayer for the dead harboring both countries’ tradition and emotions, by a diachronic approach. In Korea, the Psalms have been sung in the funeral rites that preserve the tradition of the Roman Catholic where people prayed mercy, forgiveness and eternal rest for the dead, consistently as a community. Afterwards, the Yeondo composed in the traditional melody has been used until now, and the Korea’s unique prayers for the dead continue until the end of mourning. On the other hand, in Japan, the prayer for the dead sung from the Rituale Romanum has been indigenized and transformed during the periods of persecution and Secret Christians. Currently in the Japanese Catholic funeral mass, it is mainly seen that the memory of the deceased is honored with“Amen”or silence upon the funeral prayer of the priest. Thus, this study confirmed that among the differences in Catholic funeral culture between Korea and Japan, particularly Confucian and Buddhist folklore of each country has greatly influenced the formation of their own prayer for the dead.