Viaticum

The administration of communion to a dying person. It was given as sustenance for a journey. The practice of viaticum as a meal for the dead was a pagan burial custom from pre-Christian times. Communion was substituted as viaticum by the early Christians. The Christian practice of viaticum was apparently regarded as an ancient custom by the fourth century. The BCP provides a form for Communion under Special Circumstances (pp. 396-399), with communion administered from the reserved sacrament. A postcommunion prayer is included in the BCP rite for ministration to the sick (p. 457). The benefits of communion are understood to be received by a person who desires to receive the eucharist but cannot eat and drink the bread and wine because of sickness or physical disability. See Last Rites.