Q: For the Deacon presiding over the ceremony at the cremation place, does the deacon extend his hands after “Let us pray”? Then fold his hands at “Through Christ our Lord. Amen”?
==
A: The Order of Christian Funerals is not clear, but I say it’s preferable for the deacon to extend his hands for prayer at the cemetery because the USCCB has him or even a lay leader do that in Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (189 for example).