Funeral Services
FUNERAL POLICIES
WHY A FUNERAL FOR A CATHOLIC? The primary reason for the celebration of a funeral by the Catholic Church is really two-fold. First, it gives witness to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting with a loving God. Secondly, it provides a time during which a more profound kind of “pastoral care” can be provided to the surviving family and friends by the parish, and other members of the family and friends themselves.
It is most important that the parish office and those in the funeral profession work closely and collaboratively for the sake of rendering good service in the Christian tradition for the support of the bereaved.
CARE OF THE DYING AND PRE-PLANNING: Family members or those suffering from terminal illness can contact the parish office in order to pre-arrange for their funerals. It is best to make an appointment with the parish office in order to do this well.
INITIAL CONTACT OF CHURCH & MORTUARY AT UNEXPECTED DEATH: The families of those who die suddenly or unexpectedly should contact BOTH the parish office AND the mortuary company of their preference as soon as possible. Each has special concerns which take time to plan and arrange. Neither parish office nor the mortuary should begin arrangements without being assured that the other has been already contacted.
SCHEDULE COLLABORATION: Neither parish office nor the mortuary will schedule the date or time or place of religious services without having had both (a) its own time to work with and prepare the family, and (b) a consultation with each other during which they will have mutually agreed with the family on those particulars. At least one personal visit with the family by some member of the parish office is desirable and appropriate, followed by other visits or telephone calls as necessary.
THE APPROPRIATE CHOICES OF CATHOLIC RITES: There is a variety of rites and services for the celebration of funerals in the Catholic tradition. The choice of the appropriate rites for a particular funeral will be determined by the parish in collaboration with the family.
The following are some suggestions for various rites and/or services that may be used when planning a Catholic funeral. Resources for these are available from the pastoral staff at the parish office.
The Wake Service: This is a simple prayer service, generally a Liturgy of the Word (scripture service), which can easily be celebrated in the parish church or in the mortuary chapel. It is composed of scripture readings, psalms, homily, intercessory prayers and even a eulogy if desired. It is usually celebrated the evening before the funeral Mass or funeral Service. This service allows friends and acquaintances, who may not be able to attend the Funeral Service, to pay their respects to the deceased and the surviving family. A priest, deacon or other lay ministers can do this.
The Mass of Christian Burial (Funeral Mass): The chief prayer of the Catholic Church is the Mass. In this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, the sacred assembly of God’s people give Him thanks, pray for the forgiveness of sins, and pray for salvation for themselves and for all who have gone before them in faith. Thus it is very appropriate that the Church pray for the deceased and for the surviving family and friends at a “Mass of Christian Burial.” The Mass is always celebrated by a priest.
Eulogy: Occasionally, people ask about the appropriateness of a “eulogy” for the deceased at Mass. Actually, the eulogy is not a part of the Mass. The homily (sermon) at a Mass proclaims the saving mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Reference to the deceased is appropriate, but Christ’s victory over death is the real message. If a eulogy is planned, it should be given at a different time, such as the wake service, or before the Mass begins.
The Funeral Service: This is a scripture service which can be celebrated in the parish church or in the mortuary chapel. Like the wake Service it is also composed of scripture readings, psalms, homily, intercessory prayers and even a eulogy if desired. The funeral service is usually celebrated during the day, prior to the burial. It can be celebrated at the church or at the mortuary chapel usually by a priest or deacon.
The Graveside Service (Committal Service): This is a very brief prayer service at the location of the grave or tomb. This can be presided over by a priest, deacon, or lay minister.
CREMATION: Cremation is allowed for a Catholic provided that by choosing cremation he or she is not denying the belief in the resurrection of the dead. The Church prefers full body burial. When the ashes of the person are present for funeral rites, they should be placed on a small table in some appropriate place close to the altar.
SUICIDE DEATHS: The funeral of the suicide victim is ordinarily celebrated as fully as that of any other deceased person, attendant with special appropriate pastoral care to the surviving family and friends. The compassion and hope of the Church is to be demonstrated in both word and gesture.
WHY A FUNERAL FOR A CATHOLIC? The primary reason for the celebration of a funeral by the Catholic Church is really two-fold. First, it gives witness to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting with a loving God. Secondly, it provides a time during which a more profound kind of “pastoral care” can be provided to the surviving family and friends by the parish, and other members of the family and friends themselves.
It is most important that the parish office and those in the funeral profession work closely and collaboratively for the sake of rendering good service in the Christian tradition for the support of the bereaved.
CARE OF THE DYING AND PRE-PLANNING: Family members or those suffering from terminal illness can contact the parish office in order to pre-arrange for their funerals. It is best to make an appointment with the parish office in order to do this well.
INITIAL CONTACT OF CHURCH & MORTUARY AT UNEXPECTED DEATH: The families of those who die suddenly or unexpectedly should contact BOTH the parish office AND the mortuary company of their preference as soon as possible. Each has special concerns which take time to plan and arrange. Neither parish office nor the mortuary should begin arrangements without being assured that the other has been already contacted.
SCHEDULE COLLABORATION: Neither parish office nor the mortuary will schedule the date or time or place of religious services without having had both (a) its own time to work with and prepare the family, and (b) a consultation with each other during which they will have mutually agreed with the family on those particulars. At least one personal visit with the family by some member of the parish office is desirable and appropriate, followed by other visits or telephone calls as necessary.
THE APPROPRIATE CHOICES OF CATHOLIC RITES: There is a variety of rites and services for the celebration of funerals in the Catholic tradition. The choice of the appropriate rites for a particular funeral will be determined by the parish in collaboration with the family.
The following are some suggestions for various rites and/or services that may be used when planning a Catholic funeral. Resources for these are available from the pastoral staff at the parish office.
The Wake Service: This is a simple prayer service, generally a Liturgy of the Word (scripture service), which can easily be celebrated in the parish church or in the mortuary chapel. It is composed of scripture readings, psalms, homily, intercessory prayers and even a eulogy if desired. It is usually celebrated the evening before the funeral Mass or funeral Service. This service allows friends and acquaintances, who may not be able to attend the Funeral Service, to pay their respects to the deceased and the surviving family. A priest, deacon or other lay ministers can do this.
The Mass of Christian Burial (Funeral Mass): The chief prayer of the Catholic Church is the Mass. In this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, the sacred assembly of God’s people give Him thanks, pray for the forgiveness of sins, and pray for salvation for themselves and for all who have gone before them in faith. Thus it is very appropriate that the Church pray for the deceased and for the surviving family and friends at a “Mass of Christian Burial.” The Mass is always celebrated by a priest.
Eulogy: Occasionally, people ask about the appropriateness of a “eulogy” for the deceased at Mass. Actually, the eulogy is not a part of the Mass. The homily (sermon) at a Mass proclaims the saving mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Reference to the deceased is appropriate, but Christ’s victory over death is the real message. If a eulogy is planned, it should be given at a different time, such as the wake service, or before the Mass begins.
The Funeral Service: This is a scripture service which can be celebrated in the parish church or in the mortuary chapel. Like the wake Service it is also composed of scripture readings, psalms, homily, intercessory prayers and even a eulogy if desired. The funeral service is usually celebrated during the day, prior to the burial. It can be celebrated at the church or at the mortuary chapel usually by a priest or deacon.
The Graveside Service (Committal Service): This is a very brief prayer service at the location of the grave or tomb. This can be presided over by a priest, deacon, or lay minister.
CREMATION: Cremation is allowed for a Catholic provided that by choosing cremation he or she is not denying the belief in the resurrection of the dead. The Church prefers full body burial. When the ashes of the person are present for funeral rites, they should be placed on a small table in some appropriate place close to the altar.
SUICIDE DEATHS: The funeral of the suicide victim is ordinarily celebrated as fully as that of any other deceased person, attendant with special appropriate pastoral care to the surviving family and friends. The compassion and hope of the Church is to be demonstrated in both word and gesture.
