The Answer:	It is true; the word "Purgatory" is never mentioned in the Bible. However, this does not mean there is no Biblical backing to the doctrine. After all, the word "Trinity" is not found either, yet it is still a steadfast belief for Catholics and Protestants alike. Like the word "Trinity," Purgatory is implied in Scripture. "...nothing unclean will enter it..." Revelation 21:27 This verse plainly states that nothing unclean can enter Heaven. Who among us can be considered "clean" enough for Heaven? Yet, by His death, Jesus got us eternal life. So how do we become clean between the time we die and the time we go to Heaven? Purgatory is the final place of healing and forgiveness, preparing our souls for Heaven. "In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison" 1 Pet 3:19 Where could this "prison" be but Purgatory? It cannot be Heaven, for Heaven is no prison. I can't be hell either, because those in Hell will stay in Hell, and therefor Jesus wouldn't be preaching to them that Heaven is about to be open to them. There must be a third place, and that is Purgatory. "He will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" 1 Cor 3:15 How can one be saved "only through fire" without Purgatory? There is no suffering, or "fire," in Heaven and as stated above, those in Hell stay in Hell and can not be saved. This purging, instead, must take place in Purgatory. "In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the dead to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin" 2 Macc 43-45 This is a direct Scripture reference to praying for the dead and Purgatory. Those in Hell cannot be helped by prayers and those in Heaven need no prayers. So it must be those in Purgatory that are being prayed for.
Sources:	http://www.catholic.com/library/Purgatory.asp
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