Without the
express permission of the Chancery, no priest may conduct in a
funeral home, similar facility, or simply at graveside, the
principal (or only) service for a Catholic. Any permission
granted, does not include the celebration of Mass in the chapel
of a funeral home or similar facility.
Mass
may not be offered as part of the funeral rite for those not
entitled to a full Catholic funeral according to the laws of the
Church, or for those who have rejected the Church and shown no
change of heart prior to death (canons 1184, 1185). Since burial
regulations are not meant to turn people away from the Church,
but rather an opportunity to draw them closer to God, the priest
will consult the Chancery when confronted with a situation
apparently warranting the denial of Christian burial.
Following careful consideration of the deceased's relationship
with the Church, the needs and wishes of the bereaved family,
and the attitude of the community, the pastor may offer a
"Funeral Liturgy Outside Mass", consisting of prayers and
scripture readings which are appropriate in the particular
situation. This may also be appropriate for a deceased Catholic
where there are no members of the family still practising their
faith; the family may opt for a priest out of deference to the
deceased (perhaps a parent), or for
some other reason, but do not wish Mass. The body of the
deceased should be present for the service.
Even
though Mass may not be celebrated as part of the funeral service
in these situations, Mass may be offered in the church at
another time for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for
the spiritual well-being of the relatives and friends.
Particular Situations
Certain situations, where apparently the funeral rites of the
Church are to be denied, call for sensitive pastoral attention:
such are cases involving suicides, a complete neglect of Mass
and the sacraments, or a party in an invalid marriage.
Mitigating circumstances may justify granting the Church's
funeral rites even if on a modified basis.
Ecumenical Considerations
When requested by the Catholic relatives of a deceased
non-Catholic, a priest may conduct a prayer and scriptural
funeral service for the non-Catholic in a funeral home.
On occasion, because of special circumstances and providing
scandal is avoided, this service may be conducted in the church
and with the body present. In both instances, the content of the
service should be appropriate to the circumstances of the
situation and the people involved.
In particular
circumstances where the deceased non-Catholic was well disposed
to the Church, and the family requests Mass, it may be
celebrated with the body present in church.
