Cult of Final Blessing

In common with all Cults of the Sanctorum, the public ministry of the Cult of Final Blessing is divided into three levels: Devotees, Acolytes, and Sanctors.   Devotees, who are lay people in the Cult (though they might be Acolytes or Sanctors in other Cults), make a personal promise only to recite daily a prayer for the dead and to participate (publicly and privately) in the Litany of Remembrance each week. They are usually given notice of recent deaths, and may provide mourners and support at funerals.   Acolytes make a pledge to serve the Cult more fully, and it is at this level that much of the Cult activity is focused. They remain voluntary, and keep their secular jobs alongside their service to the Cult. Acolytes will generally make themselves available on a rota to provide the Final Blessing for any who die, and perform any funerals needed by the community. They are also instructed in leading public recitations of the prayers for the dead, the Litany of Remembrance, and the Litany of Blessed Souls (commemorating all the Blesseds of the Sanctorum). Because the Cult recognises that relatively few members will seek to become Blessing-Sanctors, Acolytes are empowered to do a much as possible - on the assumption that they will be leading most funerary rites in most Sanctorums.   Sanctors are consecrated to the service of the Cult - they dedicate all their work to the Cult and, in return, receive stipend and donations. Within the community, their roles are very similar to that of an Acolyte, performing blessings, leading funerals and offering public prayers for the dead and Blesseds. They, however, will not work on a rota and (assuming there is only on Blessing-Sanctor) in the community will provide almost all Final Blessings and funerals. The principal role of Sanctors, however, is working in the Cult to record and commemorate holy deaths, and to lead investigations into those who have lived particularly holy lives. These investigations can result in the proclamation of a new Blessed, for reverence by the whole Sanctorum.   At the institutional level, the Cult is organised the same as all Cults - Blessing-Sanctors join a local Sanctorum wherever they reside, and work as part of that. It is uncommon for them to take public leadership roles, but they will often administer graveyards directly for the whole community. Within the Cult, locales will have Councils of Final Blessing to oversee and regulate members, reporting into the Grand Council of Final Blessing.

Contrary to some of the more prominent Cults (e.g. the Singers, Prayers, and Rituals), the Cult of Final Blessings does not seek to give its adherents a calendar full of different devotions and prayers. Instead, it is assumed they will find this elsewhere (or will not want to) and the Cult focuses heavily on their one aspect of creation - death and unity with the Creator.   There is a daily prayer for the dead which members of the Cult are encouraged to say (Acolytes and Blessing-Sanctors pledge to) - but this does not vary and provides only a short period of devotion. For Revelation Day (the holiest day of the week), there is the Litany of Remembrance - which both commemorates all the dead, and allows the community to insert their own lists of the departed for remembrance. This is frequently performed as part of a larger service, attended by Devotees from a wide range of Cults.   The Cult does pay particular attention to the reverence of Blesseds - those found particularly worthy by the Sanctorum (a process which the Cult itself administers). Thus, special prayers can be offered on each Blessed Feast. Again - these are of general interest to the rest of the Sanctorum, so are often performed as part of wider services.