In the dioceses of the United States, the principle rituals in the Order of Christian Funerals are the Vigil for the Deceased, the Funeral Mass, and the Rite of Christian Burial. The Funeral Mass is the central liturgy of the Christian funeral.
The Eucharist is the heart of the Paschal reality of Christian death (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1689). In the celebration of the Eucharist, the Church most perfectly expresses her communion with those who have died. The celebration of the Eucharist at the funeral is an opportunity for the community of the faithful and the family to “learn to live in communion with the one who has ‘fallen asleep in the Lord’, by communicating the Body of Christ of which he is a living member and, then, by praying for him and with him” (CCC #1689).
The Catholic community wishes to stand with the family and friends in this difficult time. This information is provided to assist you in the process of planning and celebrating the Funeral Liturgy (and/or the Vigil service) of your loved one.
Our Catholic funeral rites are intended to bring hope and consolation to the living, while proclaiming and witnessing our faith in the Resurrection. Christian hope faces the reality of death and the anguish of grief but trusts in God’s mercy and victory over death. Our funeral rites strive to meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis as well as pray for the deceased.
The Vigil for the Deceased is often the first time that family, friends, and members of the parish community gather in remembrance of the deceased for prayer and support. The Vigil centers on listening to the Word of the Lord from Sacred Scripture, psalms, prayer, and song. Ordinarily the Funeral Vigil is celebrated on the evening before the Funeral Mass. The Vigil is the preferred time for individuals to share remembrances of the deceased. Devotions such as the Rosary may also be included. If organizations wish to give honor to the deceased this should take place at the end of the Vigil.
In preparation for the Funeral Liturgy, the family should meet with the priest or parish staff person to select the day and time of the Funeral as well as the Scripture readings and hymns. The Funeral Liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. 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. When one of the Church’s members dies, it is encouraged that the highest form of prayer, the Mass, is celebrated.
At the conclusion of Mass a family member or another individual may give a eulogy. If a eulogy is given the following norms should be observed:
The eulogy should always be written out to prevent forgetting thoughts or ideas which the speaker considers essential to relate.
The Rite of Committal is the final ritual of the community of faith in caring for the body or cremated remains of the deceased member. By their presence at this rite, the community helps the mourners face the end of one relationship with the deceased and the beginning of a new one based on prayerful remembrance, gratitude, and the hope of resurrection and reunion. It is celebrated at the graveside, mausoleum, or cemetery chapel.
The priest or a pastoral staff person should be consulted before any liturgical arrangements are made with the funeral director. This provides the opportunity to have a clear understanding of the meaning and significance of the rites, as well as for family members to participate in the rites themselves. The arrangements will then need to be confirmed with the funeral director.
SELECTION OF SCRIPTURE READINGS
The family and friends under the direction of the parish staff person may choose the Scripture readings or if they prefer the celebrant may choose the Scriptures.
SELECTION OF MUSIC
Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words 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. Since music can evoke strong feelings, appropriate music for the celebration of the funeral rites should be chosen with great care. The parish hymnal is an excellent resource for this purpose. Secular or pre-recorded music is not appropriate within the liturgy; however, secular songs important to the deceased might be included during the reception or other family gatherings.