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A file photo shows a priest sprinkling holy water on the casket following a funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park, N.Y. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Understanding and planning Catholic funerals


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OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Worship & Sacraments

Catholic funerals express the Christian hope in eternal life and the resurrection of the body on the last day. Every component of Catholic funeral rites should express these fundamental beliefs and hopes. Instead of what sometimes is called “a celebration of life,” a funeral is really a privileged opportunity to return to God the gift of the deceased, hoping to usher them into paradise with the aid of our prayers. Our love for the departed is expressed after death, above all else, in our prayer for them.

Whenever possible, the church recommends that the family should be involved in planning the funeral rites — from choices of texts and readings to music and liturgical ministers. Parish staff should guide family members through the process.

Death is a new beginning for Christians. “In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, had broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity” (Order of Christian Funerals (OCF), 1). This maxim guides the Christian approach to funerals.

There needs to be direct communication with the parish and funeral home. Usually, funeral homes are fully aware of each parish’s expectations and regulations. But it is important to be in communication with the parish directly.

One of the first decisions to be made is whether the deceased will be buried or cremated. The church’s tradition prefers burial over cremation. However, cremation is allowed, so long as this option is not chosen to express anything contrary to the hope in the resurrection of the body. More and more families are opting for cremation today with hopes to decrease funeral expenses.

In either case, a place of burial needs to be chosen. Bodies are to be disposed of in a fitting and dignified way, consonant with the human dignity that should be afforded everyone, as we are made in the image of God.

Cremated remains must be buried — not placed in the home, spread on land or at sea, etc. This need not be only in a cemetery grave, but perhaps a parish columbarium — or niches, akin to mausoleums. Burial at sea is also permitted, so long as the body or cremated remains are in a sealed container (not spread openly).

In cases of burial, choices regarding attire should recall the respect to be shown toward the body. Consideration should be given to display some Christian symbols in or near the casket at the time of a wake or to be buried with the deceased, such as a crucifix, rosary or Bible.

The church advises that, where possible, friends and family should be included in taking part in the preparation of the body.

It is preferable that a funeral Mass be celebrated in the presence of the body of the deceased, but not required. As the Order of Christian Funerals states, “The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.”

There are times, however, that a funeral Mass might not be preferable or might not be permitted. This should be discussed with parish staff during the planning stages. If a funeral Mass is not chosen, it is desirable that a memorial Mass should be scheduled for the deceased’s intention at a later date.

If Mass is not chosen, a funeral Liturgy of the Word and final commendation of the deceased is celebrated. These may be conducted at the church, the funeral home, in a chapel at the cemetery or even at the graveside.

Wakes, or viewings, are opportunities for family and friends to come together, console one another, and recall the impact the deceased had on them. Though typically in a funeral home, this is sometimes conducted in a church facility — a matter that would need to be discussed or negotiated with parish staff.

Wakes find their origins in the Christian celebration of vigils, often associated with major events or feasts. The vigil for the dead is intended to be dedicated to prayer for the deceased. The church supplies a liturgical rite for wakes to be celebrated by a sacred minister of the church; they may be celebrated by a lay minister in some cases. This is a combination of readings, a brief homily or reflection, prayers and possibly music.

The wake also is a time for popular devotions that might have been particularly significant in the faith life of the deceased, such as the rosary or the Divine Mercy chaplet. Another option for the wake is to celebrate the Office of the Dead from the Liturgy of the Hours — the church’s daily prayer, composed of psalms, readings and prayers.

During the funeral, the readings from Scripture “provide the family and the community with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears and hopes” (OCF, 22).

There are four readings for a Catholic funeral. The parish staff usually provides families with copies of the readings from which they can choose. The readings should be one each from the Old and New Testaments (though during the Easter season both readings come from the New Testament) in addition to a Gospel passage. There also is a psalm, which is usually sung. Be aware that there are a variety of readings, particularly for use in unique or special circumstances.

Special prayers are a key part of the liturgy. The orations of the presiding minister address God on behalf of the entire church in their prayer for the deceased. In addition to general orations (either inside or outside the Easter season), there are a variety of options that may be suited to more specific circumstances — such as for a young person, for one who suffered a long illness or for one who died suddenly, etc. There are many other options (for prefaces and eucharistic prayers), so discuss that with the parish staff if interested.

The music chosen for a Christian funeral “should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture” (OCF, 30). As a resource to those planning funerals, many parishes will often have a list of hymns appropriate for use at a funeral from which to select. “The music at funerals should support, console, and uplift the participants” (31).

There are normally three hymns chosen for use: at the entrance, at the preparation of the gifts and at the reception of Communion, in addition to musical settings for the Mass responses. There also is what is called the song of farewell, sung at the end of the funeral Mass during the final commendation.

Moments of silence are important, too, to “permit the assembly to reflect upon the word of God and the meaning of the celebration” (OCF, 34).

Because many roles for volunteers at funerals are liturgical, great care must be taken to ensure that these ministers are well trained and suitable. You may wish to choose readers for the first and second readings, to present the gifts at the offertory or to serve the Mass.

In addition to liturgical ministers, there might be the need for pallbearers (usually six) or representatives of the family or close friends to place the pall and Christian symbols on the casket or near the cremated remains.

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