Roman Catholic Funeral Services
As Christian believers, our lives are shaped by
St. Paul’s words to his Roman community:“We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5).This is the core of our faith. Because of our relationship to Christ, new life comes through death.
The Funeral Is a Celebration of the Parish Community
A Christian funeral is celebrated in three stages: the vigil (commonly called the wake), the funeral liturgy (usually Mass, but not always), and the committal or final disposition of the body or cremated remains.
The revised Order of Christian Funerals has formulated a ritual to celebrate the vigil in a more prayerful way. It includes a time to gather, to pray, to read scripture, to tell stories and to support those who are grieving.
Traditionally, it has been the custom in many places to pray only the Rosary at the vigil service. Although the Rosary is an appropriate and worthy prayer for those who are grieving, simply praying the Rosary at the vigil should not replace the Church’s fuller ritual developed for celebrating the vigil service.
The Funeral Liturgy
The funeral Mass should ordinarily be held in the parish where the deceased was a member. For most believers, the parish community is the focus for much of their Christian life and the usual place where people celebrate and deepen their faith. Here they find the support and sharing for their growth in faith and in commitment to a Christian life. When determining the place of the funeral, these factors should always be considered.
Even when there are few family members or friends of the deceased, the funeral is an important part of parish life. Celebrating it together can enhance the faith of the parish community and remind them of the connection of death with the paschal mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Funeral May Be Celebrated with or without Mass
It is usually preferable that Mass can be celebrated with the funeral, but a funeral without Mass is also acceptable. The Church’s directives in the Order of Christian Funerals do not require that Mass be celebrated with the funeral.If those who are to participate in the funeral have little experience of Catholic ritual and would be more comfortable not celebrating the eucharist, the planners should consider a funeral without Mass. A funeral ritual without a Mass still celebrates the mystery of God in life and in death and commends the deceased to God’s care.
Cremation and the Funeral Service
Cremation has been an acceptable alternative to ground burial or entombment for Catholics since 1963.
If cremation is to take place before the vigil, then it would be preferable that all the family of the deceased first spend time in the presence of the body, especially if they may not have been present at the time of death. This gathering helps with the grieving process and is an important way to commend the person to the care of the Lord. Then cremation can take place.
The Order of Christian Funerals instructs that the cremated remains be brought to the church for the funeral. It is suggested that a picture of the deceased be placed beside the cremated remains for the funeral celebration.
If cremation is to take place after the funeral, the mortuary can provide a temporary casket to have the body present during the vigil service and the funeral. Mortuaries often use a special rental casket for these ceremonies and then do the actual cremation with a simpler container. When the funeral is complete, then cremation can take place.
When there is cremation, sometimes persons want their remains scattered at a favorite place. The Catholic Church discourages this practice and instructs that the cremated remains are not to be scattered openly but should be put in a grave, tomb or burial place for cremated remains to which people may return for remembrance and prayer. This practice reflects the Christian belief that these remains are not just ashes but the remains of a person created in God’s image who will return in fullness when Christ raises the dead to life. This also allows the family to establish a place to return to in order to continue their remembrance and honor of the deceased.
The Committal or Final Disposition of the Body
The concluding rite of the Christian funeral is the committal, in which the Christian community celebrates its final act of loving care for the body of the deceased person. At the graveside, tomb or crematorium, the community relinquishes its hold on the body and lovingly turns it over to the community of saints. In committing the body to its final resting place in the consecrated ground of the cemetery, the community expresses its hope that the remains of the deceased, together with those of the other faithful who also lie there, will await together their bodily resurrection with Christ.
Published By: Living the Good News
Excerpts By: Preparing a Catholic Funeral by Reverend Kenneth Koehler
