Author: Sheri Campbell

Who can be buried from the Church?
Any baptized Catholic can be buried from the Church, those who have been most faithful in the practice and those who have been less faithful or separated from the Church, through illness, distance or special circumstances. Non-Catholic members of a parishioner’s family may be buried from the Church unless it was contrary to their wishes and will during their life.
Can those who have died as a result of suicide be buried from the Church?
Yes, previous laws forbidding such have been changed. There are prayers included in the Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) for this circumstance.
May someone who has not been able to attend Church for a few years because of living in a nursing home still be buried from a parish church?
Yes. Absence from their parish due to such circumstances does not separate them from the community of the Church and a Funeral Liturgy.
Why does the Church not sacramentally anoint bodies after death?
One purpose of the Sacrament of the Sick and its anointing of the living person is to instill hope and healing before death. After death, when healing can no longer take place, the Church has other prayers but does no anoint the dead body.
At the time of death, whom do we call to set things in motion?
If a person dies unexpectedly at home, the local public safety department must be called first. If a person is under hospice care, the hospice nurse should be called first and they will then help you with the subsequent procedures. Funeral directors specialize in serving the needs of families at the time of death and will also assist in the notification of the pertinent people or agencies. The local parish may be called directly by the family or left to the funeral director.
What are the funeral rites?
The Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) consists of a number of rituals, divided into three key times of prayer for families.
The Vigil for the Deceased is the official prayer of the Church and should never be omitted. Taking the form of a Liturgy of the Word, the Vigil consists of scripture readings, a brief homily (or a reflection if led by a lay minister), intercessions and prayers. Its focus is on the Word of God as the family experiences death and their subsequent grief. Music is also encouraged to be a part of this prayer, which can be led by various parish bereavement ministers besides the priest or deacon. The Vigil is also an appropriate place for family and friends to offer their own words or stories (eulogy). Additional non-biblical readings or poems may be included in addition to the readings from scripture. Favorite non-liturgical music may also be played. While the Rosary is still a popular devotion, it is not a part of nor is it meant to replace the Vigil. It may be prayed by the family at any time during the visitation hours.
The center of the OCF is The Funeral Liturgy. “At the funeral liturgy the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery.” (OCF 129) The clear focus in the funeral liturgy is not to keep alive the memory of the deceased but rather God’s abiding presence and the wonders of his grace in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus, in which we participate through our baptism and lives of discipleship. Perhaps more than any other rite, this liturgy distinguishes our Roman Catholic tradition from other common funeral practices.
The Rite of Committal brings to conclusion the funeral rites at the grave, tomb or crematorium. These brief prayers may be led by a priest, deacon or a lay minister or by a member of the family.
Are Catholics allowed to be cremated?
The Church still recommends, and prefers, the pious custom of burying the bodies of the Faithful, out of respect for the body that has given evidence of God’s spirit enlivening our souls which are destined to be raised on the great Day of Resurrection. Nonetheless, the Church allows cremation as long as it is not an intentional denial of the Church’s teaching regarding the Resurrection of the body. Note, however, The Order of Christian Funerals is arranged such that cremation of the deceased takes place after the funeral liturgy and not before it. However, when this is not possible, the cremated remains are permitted to be present for the Funeral Liturgy, either the Mass or outside of Mass.
What Scripture readings are allowed?
There are at least fifty-five various readings of Scriptures that the Church has specifically chosen for funerals. When you meet in your parish church to plan the funeral rites, they will be shared with you at that time or call in advance when planning ahead of time. Non Scripture readings are not permitted.
Who can read the readings at the Funeral Mass?
Non-Catholics are not allowed to read the scripture readings at Mass but may do so at the other rites in the OCF. All readers must be well prepared for the proclamation and believe in what they are proclaiming, engaging the gathered assembly through their eye contact, tone, rhythm and pace of the reading.
What music is allowed?
“Music is integral to the Funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that word alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration 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) Popular non-liturgical songs are not be used in the Funeral Liturgy.
Can we have a eulogy?
A eulogy is not allowed during the Funeral Liturgy. Family or friends may be invited to share such a testimony at the Vigil or at the memorial luncheon or reception that often follows the funeral. The OCF does allow for a family member or friend to “speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins” (OCF 170), however those words should not be a eulogy.
Are priests the only ones who can lead the Scripture service or the Cemetery service?
Deacons, religious and lay ministers are also designated to preside at the Vigil (Scripture) service and the cemetery Rite of Committal. These are not services that are restricted to a priest. Many parishes have lay bereavement ministers assigned to these significant rites of the Christian funeral.
What do we do with the cremated remains after the funeral?
The cremated remains must always be treated with respect, the same respect we attribute to the body. After the funeral they are to be interred or entombed, preferably in a Catholic cemetery, mausoleum or columbarium. The Rite of Committal should accompany this action. They should never be separated or scattered or disposed in any way other than a dignified interment or entombment.
Can we plan our funeral arrangements months or years in advance?
Individuals are certainly encouraged to plan their funeral, just as they make arrangements for a will, and for the financial means to pay for their funeral. This relieves some pressure from the family during the emotional grieving process immediately after death. It also clarifies for the remaining family members or representative your wishes, e.g., the Funeral Mass, place of burial, music, readings, pall bearers, etc. Once these specifics for the funeral liturgy are known, the family then is left with arranging for the day of the funeral with the local parish church, funeral home and cemetery.
What is the difference between a Funeral Mass and a Memorial Mass?
A Funeral Mass has the body of the deceased or the cremated remains of the deceased present and has all the special prayers attributed to that Mass. When the body or the cremated remains are not present it is called a Memorial Mass.
Are Funeral Masses allowed in funeral homes?
Funeral Masses are not allowed in funeral homes. The Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass, as provided in the Order of Christian Funerals, is allowed in the funeral home.
Why can’t we schedule the funeral in the parish when we want it?
Funerals are certainly important in the life of a family and also to the parish. Each parish is unique, however, in the capabilities of schedule, procedures and availability of ministers. Many parishes have set times for funerals mindful that two funerals are possible in one day in addition to the celebration of other Masses and weddings. Parishes might also have some planned activities or events that would not be suitable in providing the best or most appropriate environment for a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at the same time.
Are there some days were funerals are not allowed by the Church?
A Funeral Mass can be celebrated any day except on Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter and the Sundays of the Advent, Lent and Easter seasons. On these prohibited days, the funeral liturgy outside of Mass, without the distribution of communion, is permitted followed by the Rite of Committal. In this circumstance, a Memorial Mass for the deceased may be celebrated later at the convenience of the family and local parish.
Is there a fee to the church?
There is not a fee to be buried from the Church. If the family has the means and wishes to make a donation to the parish, it would be appropriate and welcome, considering the parish resources that are used for the staff, building, etc. Some parishes do contract separately for the musician and may ask the family to cover that cost. There is never a direct fee for the parish priest, deacon or lay minister. Given the financial challenges many of our parishes experience, a generous donation at the time of funeral is very much appreciated, even being mindful of services provided to the deceased throughout the years as a parishioner.
Why are we encouraged to pray for the dead?
“At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life.” (OCF 4) The dead need our prayers as we pray for God’s mercy and petition His forgiveness for all of their sins. In addition, our prayers for the dead remind us that we are not separated from them as it strengthens our communion with all the saints.

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 6:5

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
— John 6:40

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