Catholic dogmas and doctrines relating to death
and resurrection have been clearly and dramatically demonstrated
and practised in all aspects of the death and burial
of the faithful. Catholic belief in death as the entrance
into eternity, hope in a resurrection, recognition of the value
of prayer for the deceased, reverence for the body which
remains, sense of the mystery and sacredness which surround
death - all of these should be reflected in the atmosphere and
ceremonies which are part of our response to death and our care
of the deceased.
The Christian response to death stands as a
symbol of the central and pivotal Christian beliefs of a
person's life, here and hereafter. The private and liturgical
prayers, the meditation and reflection, and the ceremonies and
rites connected with the funeral and committal, unite us to the
great paschal mystery and its hope of eternal union with
Almighty God.
The events which surround death also call for a
community response. While the immediate family must bear the
principal burden of sorrow, the community of relatives, friends
and parishioners comes together to provide their prayerful
support. The whole Christian community, through the Church and
its liturgy, offers its prayers for God's mercy for the deceased
and His strength for the bereaved.
When possible,
those who were part of the Catholic community are buried
together in a Catholic cemetery. Not only is the Catholic
cemetery a sacred place, a place of prayer and a place
reflecting our beliefs and traditions, it is also the link of
community between all the faithful, living and dead. It is a
recognition of the shared belief of the dead and the living who
commit their deceased to this holy ground.
Because of these vital realities of Catholic life, Christian
Funerals and Burials are rites which the Church provides for her
faithful departed and as a source of strength, hope, and
encouragement for the bereaved family and friends.
