The funeral rite
traditionally has been conducted on the morning of the burial.
However, if the family so requests and it is pastorally
suitable, the funeral rite may be conducted at some other
appropriate time before the burial, such as the evening before
the burial. In some cases, the evening service may be more
convenient for the family and may provide for a greater amount
of community participation. In any event, there should properly
be only one funeral Mass.
Since the proper
locale for Mass is a "sacred place" (see canon 932), Mass is not
celebrated in a funeral home or similar facility.
The body of the deceased should ordinarily be present in church
for the "Funeral Mass" or "Mass of Christian Burial". The term
"Mass of the Resurrection" is inappropriate for the Funeral
Mass.
Keeping in mind that liturgical roles are to be
fulfilled only by Catholics, members of the family are
encouraged when permitted to assist in the offertory procession
and fulfil the role of reader; they may receive communion under
both species. In accordance with the Church's teaching on
intercommunion, Holy Communion is not permitted to
non-Catholics.
Non-Catholics may serve as
pallbearers at the funeral of Catholic family members and
friends.
Liturgical Norms
The casket remains closed during the funeral rite and should be
covered with a pall in remembrance of the baptismal garment - a
sign of the Christian dignity of the person entering in Christ a
new life beyond this life. The pall may be ornamented with
Christian symbols. In addition to its liturgical significance,
the pall serves very practical purposes: it avoids ostentation,
prevents embarrassment of the poor and emphasizes the
Christian's equality before God.
Apart from
distinctions based on sacred orders and the honour due to civic
dignitaries, no special honours are paid to any private person
or classes of persons, whether in the ceremony or by external
display.
In the case of the deceased member of a
veterans' group or the armed forces, if the national flag is
over the casket while being transported, the flag is removed at
the Church, properly folded and, by custom, may be placed at one
end of the pall during the liturgical rite; the flag should not
cover the casket or the pall in church.
Eulogy
The funeral
ritual, the Order of Christian Funerals, clearly states that the
homily which follows the gospel reading is never to be
a eulogy. The homily, as part of the funeral liturgy,
relates Christian death to the paschal mystery of our Lord's
death and victorious resurrection, and to eternal life. Death
however, is a particular experience affecting an individual and
it, therefore, should not be totally depersonalized. While
offering God's compassionate love, and attentive to the grief of
those present, the homily properly includes an expression of
praise and gratitude to God for the gift of a Christian life and
such other virtues or strengths apparent in the deceased's life,
or in facing of death.
It is recommended,
therefore, that there be no eulogy, as this term is commonly
understood, during the funeral rites. However, if the members of
the family desire a eulogy, and the priest is unable to
accommodate them satisfactorily by incorporating in the homily
some salient points, as suggested above, he may permit a eulogy,
but only under the following conditions.
The
eulogy may take place either at the conclusion of the more
informal wake or prayer service the evening preceding the
funeral, following the committal prayers at the cemetery, or
prior to the "Commendation and Farewell" which follows the
Funeral Mass; this latter should be regarded as the least
desirable option.
The eulogist would have notes
or a written text, discussed beforehand with, and approved by,
the officiating priest. The eulogist would be a member of the
family or a close friend of the deceased, chosen by the family.
There should be only one eulogist, and the person must be of
upright reputation.
The eulogy would be brief,
focusing on the life and accomplishments of the deceased, an
example or two highlighting the virtues or qualities of the
deceased, a word of comfort and encouragement to the survivors,
and an expression of gratitude for the support received. The
eulogy should not include poetry, abstract talk, or readings
from authors with more humanistic than Christian concepts.
An alternative to a eulogy is a printed souvenir leaflet with
biographical and other details of the deceased's life and
achievements; another opportunity to reflect on the life of the
deceased loved one is in the more relaxed setting of any
reception following the funeral.
Other Considerations
The casket remains closed during the funeral rite; if it was
open, it will be closed before the celebration of Mass, and not
opened afterwards.
Real flowers, as living
symbols of resurrection and hope, have a part in the funeral
rite. However, their use for funerals should be limited. One or
two floral arrangements may be placed near the altar, preferably
beforehand; but flowers should not be placed on the pall or
around the casket in such a way as to obscure the sacred symbols
on the pall.
In the "Final Commendation and
Farewell", the Christian community honours one of its members
before the body is taken to its final resting place. By local
custom, the first portion of this rite takes place immediately
following the "Prayer after Communion." The final portion
usually takes place at graveside or in the cemetery chapel.
The practice of the people accompanying the deceased to the
cemetery should be continued, as appropriate under the
circumstances. The priest ordinarily will accompany the body to
the cemetery.
In arranging the funeral rite,
musical selections chosen should conform to the liturgical
guidelines for appropriate music at Mass.
The
Church's funeral rites may be celebrated for a child who died
before baptism and whose parents intended to have the child
baptized.
