Catholic Funerals

As Catholics, it’s crucial that we understand not only the Catholic Church’s practices but also the reasons behind them, particularly in our funeral rites. Like all liturgical rites, funerals serve a specific purpose within the life of the Church. Catholic funeral rites consist of three liturgies, each with a distinct role in ministering to the bereaved and commemorating the deceased.

The vigil, held the evening before the funeral mass, provides a time for mourners to express their grief and receive consolation. It features a Liturgy of the Word and intercessory prayer, often performed at the funeral home or church. During the vigil, God’s word in Scripture is offered as “light and life in the face of darkness and death.” It’s an appropriate moment for a friend or family member of the deceased to deliver a eulogy in their remembrance.

The funeral mass shifts the focus from comforting the bereaved to praying for the departed. While comfort is still offered, the primary purpose of the Catholic funeral is to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased. This is why the funeral liturgy takes place with the remains of the deceased within the context of the Holy Mass, the highest form of prayer the Church can offer.

The final movement of our Catholic funeral rites is the committal, or burial service. This graveside service bids farewell to our loved one as we lay them to rest, expressing hope in the resurrection and remembering the communion between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven.

These three movements, when performed together, beautifully encapsulate the Church’s teachings on mourning the loss of a loved one. We offer comfort during the vigil, pray for the soul’s repose during the funeral liturgy, and express hope in the resurrection as we lay the deceased to rest. While the Church permits cremation in addition to its preferred casket burial, as our earthly remains are consecrated to God through baptism and confirmation, it does not allow the cremated remains to be scattered. Instead, they must be interred in a permanent, consecrated place of rest, just as non-cremated remains would be.

If you have any questions or need assistance planning a funeral mass for a family member or loved one who has recently passed away, or if you wish to pre-plan a funeral to simplify the process for your next of kin, please contact Joseph Malzone to start this process.