When confronted with a
death in the family, the survivors will require the assistance
of a priest, a funeral director and the cemetery authorities,
working closely together, in completing all necessary
arrangements.
No arrangements for
funeral, burial or cremation should be finalized until the
relatives have had an opportunity to discuss personally with the
priest the religious rites, the various liturgical options,
participation in the services by members of the family and the
parish community, and such other matters upon which the ritual
focuses. This contact with the bereaved family affords the
priest an opportunity to offer his condolences and
encouragement. At the same time, the priest can conveniently
counsel the family on the liturgical rites.
Arrangements for these rites are normally made with a priest of
the deceased's parish. However, the family may carry out the
expressed wishes of the deceased to be buried from a church
other than the deceased's parish church.
The
funeral director arranges for the removal of the body and its
preparation for burial; he handles details of providing
facilities for viewing, if desired. Later, he will communicate
with the newspaper regarding death notices and arrange for any
required transportation.
All cemetery
arrangements must be made with the cemetery personnel. This
direct contact between the family and cemetery authorities is
essential because of important legal implications involved in
burial.
