LITURGICAL VESTMENTS AND MASS BOOK FOR FUNERALS

Until the Second Vatican Council, it was customary to wear black liturgical vestments for funeral ceremonies. On the photograph you see the copes and dalmatic robes worn at the funeral of a Knight of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The walls are also covered with black hangings.

The prayer book is also in black velvet.

On the cope a magnificent embroidery representing the Resurrection of Christ. This is also the theme of the central panel of Michel Coxcie’s triptych when you leave the chapel at your right hand. A series of funeral chasubles and dalmatics were donated by the Arenberg family, great benefactors of the church, who lived in the palace opposite, now known as the Egmont Palace.