THE CATHOLIC FUNERAL

When someone we love goes home to the Lord it is a time of sorrow and pain in our lives. There is an emptiness that we can never fill and perhaps that’s as it should be. The meaningful someone is in our lives the more we feel the loss. The greater the love we share, the greater the sorrow we feel. This is not a lack of faith. Mourning is not contrary to belief in the Resurrection. Hopeless mourning is the type of mourning Paul cautions against. (See Thessalonians 4:13-14) The sorrow that comes from the death of a loved one, however, is normal and even healthy. Even Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.

The funeral Liturgy of the Church can be source of consolation and healing for the family and friends of those who have died. While recognizing the pain that accompanies such a liturgy, it nonetheless draws us back to the hope in the Resurrection. "By means of the funeral rites it has been the practice of the Church, as a tender mother, not simply to commend the dead to God but also to raise high the hope of it children and to give witness to its own faith in the future resurrection of the baptized with Christ." from the decree promulgating the revised funeral rites by the Congregation For Divine Worship, 1970.)

The revised funeral rites call for an increased participation by the family and friends in the rites themselves.. It is desirable that a member of the clergy, or someone designated by the clergy, to meet with the family prior to the funeral Mass to discuss the options the family can choose from. The rites begin with the Vigil Service which normally takes place at the wake the day before the funeral liturgy.

As the body is brought into the church it is blessed with holy water that recalls the waters of baptism. This action reminds us that we who are baptized are baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ. We who have died with Christ in baptism will rise with him. Immediately following the blessing with holy water, the white pall is placed over the casket. This is an action that is appropriate for the family to perform. The white cloth again recalls the rite of baptism and the clothing with a white garment. A religious symbol may now be placed on the casket. This should be something personal to the deceased; a cross, rosary beads that belonged to the deceased, a prayer book. This symbol remains on the casket during the funeral Mass.

The Scripture readings that are proclaimed at the funeral should be selected by the family to reflect the faith of the deceased and the hopes of the loved ones. The clergy can assist the family in selecting appropriate readings. It is also appropriate to have a family member or close friend proclaim the readings. The readings from Scripture are followed by a brief homily by the priest or deacon. It is helpful if the priest or deacon is able to talk with the family about the deceased so that he can make the homily a bit more personal. The homily is not to be a eulogy, however. A family member, or someone selected by the family, can give a eulogy after Communion. This should also be brief. The family is encouraged to assist in the preparation of the gifts by bringing the bread and wine to the altar.

After the Prayer after Communion, the presider moves near to the casket for the prayers of commendation. The body is blessed with incense which reminds us of the sacredness and dignity of the human body. An appropriate song may be song at this time. After the prayer of commendation the procession to the cemetery begins with the words of the deacon (or in his absence the priest); "In peace let us take our brother/sister to his/her place of rest." There is no blessing of the congregation at this point since the funeral rites are not yet completed. The rite of committal concludes the funeral rites. The committal rite should be done at the place of committal whenever possible; at the tomb or at the open grave. If the place of committal is to be blessed the priest or deacon says a prayer of blessing and sprinkle the ground with holy water. Blessed sand may also be sprinkled on the ground in addition to the holy water. Prayers of intercession are said and concluded by all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The rite is concluded with a prayer over the people and blessing by the presider.

A good source for the family preparation of the funeral rites is THROUGH DEATH TO LIFE, by Fr. Joseph Champlin, Ave Maria press.

Cremation was prohibited by the Church until 1963 because cremation was used as a denial of the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul. Because of changing attitudes and funeral practices, the Church now allows cremation as long as the resurrection of the body is not denied. The Church still prefers burial in a tomb or in the ground in imitation of the burial of Jesus. The full funeral rites, including the vigil service (wake), funeral liturgy, and rite of committal should still be celebrated. Preferably cremation should take place after the funeral liturgy and the cremated human remains buried in the committal rite. It is permissible, however, with permission of the diocesan bishop, that cremation take place before the funeral rites and the remains brought into the church for the funeral liturgy. Proper care must taken to ensure the dignity of the cremated remains. The remains must be buried in a dignified manner. It is not permitted to spread the remains over an area or to divide them or to keep them in the home. Check with your pastor on the guidelines for cremation in your diocese.