The Last Rites shadow box is a religious artifact that was used by Catholics in the early 1900s to administer the sacrament of Viaticum which means "provisions for a journey" in Latin.  It was given to a dying person as a final communion (final rite) before their departure to the afterlife.

The shadow box usually consisted of a wooden cabinet with a glass front that displayed a chalkware sculpture of the Holy Family ~~ Joseph, Mary and Jesus, under a reverse painted glass with a cross and an inscription of "Blessed Be Thy Holy Name."  Beneath the glass with the Holy Family is a hinged cabinet door with a print of the Last Supper framed under glass.  The priest would open the hinged cabinet door to access items he used for the last rites, items such as a spoon, a white cloth, a rosary, a cross and a Eucharist wafer or bread.  The box also had brass angel shaped candle holders on each side.

The box was usually hung on the wall of the sick person's room and the priest would open the drawer and use the items inside to perform the last rites ceremony.  The box was also used for prayer vigils and exorcisms.

The Last Rites Viaticum Altar Shadow Box is now considered a rare and valuable antique.