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The first thing to remember about Catholic funerals is the Truth that the body of the dead one will be resurrected and reunited with the soul when Jesus comes again at the Last Judgement. In addition, if the deceased is saved, his body will be glorified. For this reason, the bodies of our loved ones are treated with the utmost respect and, so, it isagainst Catholic custom to cremate the body, having been allowable in the past only during times of pestilence.
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Funerals
The Funeral Service
The funeral service is usually celebrated with a Mass with prayers for the dead. This is primarily an expression of our belief in the resurrection. As a Christian funeral, we praise God and give to him our dead relative, commending him or her to God's love.
Preparing a Mass of Christian Burial
If you have the opportunity to discuss the funeral Mass with the priest, you are likely to find that it enables you to express your love for the person in a unique way. You might choose to make a special booklet, although it is not absolutely necessary.
The Readings
The first thing that you may think about is your choice of readings. Through them you can provide an opportunity for your family and friends to hear God speak to them. It is usually possible to choose a reading from each of the Old and New testaments and a Gospel reading. The priest may invite you to choose these from the Lectionary (the Book of readings used at Mass).
In volume III of the Lectionary, the First readings are found on pagers 849-857; the second readings are found on pages 863-870. You will find the Gospel readings on pp. 871-890. The responsorial psalms are found on pp. 849-857 and the Alleluia Verses are found on pages 871-890.
You might ask different members of the family to read the first reading, the responsorial psalm and the second reading. If you do so, it is important that the people know the responses at the end of the readings and that they have an opportunity to practise the readings with the microphone.
The Prayers of the Faithful
The Prayers of the Faithful (also called the General Intercessions) provide another opportunity to personalize the celebration of the deceased person's life and to enable family members to participate.
The priest may suggest that you use intercessions already written. Alternatively, he may invite you to write your own intercessions. If you choose to write your own intercessions, you might choose to pray for the deceased person, for those who are mourning the death of the one they loved, for those who cared for the person particularly prior to death, for other deceased members of the family, for all who have died recently.
Usually the same format is used for each intercession. A common format is:
For N. who prayed as a member of this parish community, that he/she may be welcomed into the heavenly kingdom. (Slight pause) Lord, in your mercy:
All: Hear our prayer
Those who are praying the intercessions will need to remember that the priest introduces them with a brief prayer and follows up with a concluding prayer.
Introductory Rites
During the introductory rites, the community welcomes the body. It may also be a time of welcome to the community who have gathered those who have come to pray in support of the family and to honour the dead person.
The priest sprinkles the coffin with holy water. Holy water is a reminder of our baptism. Baptism is the beginning of our life in Christ. This sprinkling is a symbol of a new life in Christ.
Some parishes have a pall - a large white cloth that is placed on the coffin by family members. The pall is a reminder of the white garment received in baptism. The tender, graceful covering of the coffin is a respectful caring for the dead person, clothing the deceased person in a white garment for the last time.
Other family members may place on the coffin Christian symbols - a Bible, a missal, rosary beads, a medal.
The priest may invite you or some close family member - one person only - to speak some words by way of welcome and remembrance to the assembled group. This is an opportunity to recall respectfully and lovingly, in a very few minutes, a little of the dead person's life. This is not a eulogy.
Because this can be an emotional time, it is a very good idea if the words are written.
At the Graveside
What happens at the graveside? Because this can be a time of great sorrow, these prayers are brief. They are an expression of the final taking leave, of letting go and of acknowledging our grief and our need for the comfort and support of others.
The church offers a final ritual, the rite of committal, to be used at the graveside. It begins with the priest inviting the assembled family and friends to commit the persons' body to the earth and to support each other in our sorrow. This is followed by a brief reading of the Word of God. Then the coffin is lowered into the ground. The priest or another person prays intercessions and all join in the Lord's prayer. The priest concludes with a final prayer and a blessing
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Can you have a Catholic funeral on Ash Wednesday?
Roman Catholic AnswerYes, any day that is an R1 in the Ordo, a funeral Mass is permitted. Funeral Masses are permitted on Sundays and during the Easter Triduum.
How do Catholic funerals differ from non-Catholic ones?
A traditional Catholic Funeral depends on the culture that the funeral is being held in. The traditional Catholic Western Cultural funeral begins with a mass in which the body is blessed, mass is said, and the body is placed in the grave. the biggest difference is that there is a catholic mass in the funeral rights.
Name of funeral mass?
The name of the (catholic) funeral mass is: Requiem (Latin for eternal "rest").
Why would a Roman Catholic Church refuse to perform a funeral?
If the person is not Catholic, a funeral mass may be refused. However, if married or part of a Catholic family and did not deny chuch teachings, then it is still possible.
What is the name for a funeral mass?
In the Catholic church the alternate name for a funeral Mass would be: Requiem Mass or even referred to as an: Ecclesiastical Funeral.
Can someone who hasn't been christened but husband is Catholic and had a civil wedding have a Catholic funeral?
Not per se, but in one instance, I do know of a priest who has performed a funeral for a non-baptized spouse of a Catholic. You would have to speak to your pastor about this.
Is it common for a Polish Catholic elderly man to invite himself to an associate's family member's Catholic Funeral?
Since a Catholic funeral begins with a funeral Mass, anyone may attend. Also, since one of the Corporal Works of Mercy is to bury the dead, Catholics view attendance at and participation in a funeral Mass to be a virtuous act and a chance to pray for the soul of the departed.
What does snow at a funeral signify in the catholic faith?
Although some people may have personal superstitions about snow at a funeral, the Catholic Church does not officially teach that this has any special significance.
What type of funeral did Mother Teresa have?
She was granted a state funeral by the government of India which was conducted in part by the Catholic Church.
Can a catholic married to a Greek have the funeral in the Greek church when they pass?
The funeral should be in the home parish of the deceased person.
Is or was Andy Williams ever Catholic?
No. Andy Williams told an interviewer that he sang at the funeral of Robert Kennedy. He says in the interview that "I am not Catholic".
How do you officiate a funeral service in spanish?
Call a Spanish speaking Roman Catholic priest.
