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Funeral Guidelines

- Funeral

Guidelines for Funerals and Burials in the Catholic Church
A. Foreword

These Guidelines are for Funerals and Burials taking place at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in order to provide Catholics with the Church’s teaching on matters related to a Christian burial.

B. Church Law
“The funeral of any deceased member of the faithful should normally be celebrated in the church of that person’s proper parish” (canon 1177, §1).

“However, any member of the faithful, or those in charge of the deceased person’s funeral, may choose another church; this requires the consent of whoever is in charge of that church and a notification to the proper parish priest of the deceased” (canon 1177, §2).

“When death has occurred outside the person’s proper parish, and the body is not returned there, and another church has not been chosen, the funeral rites are to be celebrated in the church of the parish where the death occurred, unless another church has been designated by particular law” (canon 1177, §3).

C. Vigil Service/Rosary
In the funeral rites, the Church commends the dead to God and offers Christian hope to those who mourn. For this reason, it is customary to have a gathering of the family and friends of the deceased before the funeral Mass. However, it is not required. This vigil service consists of the liturgy of the Word of God and/or Rosary. It usually takes place on the night preceding the funeral Mass. Preferably, it takes place in the funeral home or the home of the deceased. If the funeral home is too small for the number of people, the church can be reserved provided that the church is available.

D. Funeral Mass
The Funeral Mass is customarily celebrated on the day of burial. The body of the deceased should be present in church for the Funeral Mass or “Mass of Christian Burial.” The use of the terms “Mass of the Resurrection” or “celebration of life” is incorrect and not an acceptable description for the Funeral Mass. The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral. The focus of a Catholic funeral Mass is the Paschal Mystery: the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Order of Christian Funerals, nos. 1; 22; 27. From what source is this coming from?) The focus is on God, on Jesus’s sacrifice on the altar for the deceased, not on the deceased person. Since the proper setting for Mass is a sacred place, Mass is not to be celebrated in a funeral home or at home, or in a non-sacred space. It is preferred and encouraged that liturgical roles, such as readers (lectors), be assumed by practicing Catholics and/or members of the family who are Catholic.

In the act of bringing the body to the church, the members of the faith community acknowledge the deceased as one of their own, as one who was welcomed in Baptism and who held a place in the assembly. Through the use of various baptismal symbols, we show the reverence due the body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Display of Religious/Liturgical Items

The Paschal Candle is lit and placed at the front of the sanctuary near the casket or urn. The candle reminds us of the light of Christ, entrusted to us at our Baptism. Sprinkling the body with Holy Water recalls the pouring of water in the baptismal celebration to wash away our sin. Later, the body of the deceased is incensed as a sign of respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Funeral Pall: Any national flags or insignia of associations to which the deceased belonged, as well as casket flower sprays are to be removed from the casket at the entrance of the church. No exception. This allows the baptismal symbols and gestures to become evident. The casket remains closed during the funeral Mass and should only be covered with a white pall in remembrance of the baptismal garment.

Flowers may be brought from the funeral home or sent directly to the church. They will be placed so as not to obscure the altar, pulpit, tabernacle, or block passage of ministers in the sanctuary, and communion line. Only the church’s staff is allowed to arrange the placement and display of the flowers.
- During Lenten season, a season of penance and honoring the suffering of Jesus Christ, the church is not allowed to have flowers on display. Therefore, flowers should be placed in the narthex of the Church only.
- During Easter or Christmas: When the church is decorated for Christmas or Easter, other flowers may seem redundant. You may consider not bringing them to the church during these times.
Other Non-Religious Items

Pictures, Slideshows, Videos, and Memorabilia: In the days that follow the death of a loved one there are moments where the family and friends focus on different aspects of saying goodbye to their loved one. At the funeral home, and at the luncheon afterwards there is a greater focus on the life of the deceased with pictures, slideshows, videos and memorabilia. At the funeral Mass the focus shifts to prayer and to God. The interior of the Catholic Church is consecrated for only sacred purposes to worship the Lord. Therefore, no pictures, slideshows, or videos are allowed in the Church, neither before, during, nor after the funeral Mass/service. However, if one wishes, pictures and memorabilia can be placed in the narthex, or at the reception hall.

Apart from distinctions based on sacred orders and the respect due to civic dignitaries, no special honors are paid to any private person or classes of persons, whether in the ceremony or by external display. It can be done outside of the Church or at the cemetery.

E. Eulogy
The Order of Christian Funerals states that “a brief homily based on the readings is always given after the Gospel reading ... but there is never to be a eulogy.” The homily relates Christian death to the Paschal Mystery of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Attentive to the grief of those present, the homily may include an expression of praise and gratitude to God for the gift of a Christian life and such virtues or strengths apparent in the deceased’s life.

Although, people commonly think of a eulogy as a part of the funeral service, the Catholic Church does not envision a eulogy (1 Cf. Order of Christian Funerals, nos. 27, 141. Cf. GIRM, no. 382.) as being a part of the Catholic’s funeral Mass. This is more appropriately done in another setting (just as slideshows or videos are often shown at the funeral home but not at the funeral Mass). The funeral rites are not so much a celebration of the life of the deceased, but a prayer that the life and death of the deceased may be joined to Christ in heaven. Because the focus of a Catholic funeral is first on God, eulogies do not find their proper place within the funeral liturgy.

This does not mean we should not reflect on and celebrate the life of the deceased. It just means that such a celebration of the life of the deceased is more appropriate to a non-liturgical gathering (for example, at the funeral home, cemetery, or a post-funeral meal or reception).

Words of Remembrance/Thanksgiving
While the Church discourages eulogies at Catholic funerals, it does allow for a few words of remembrance at the end of the service, if a family wishes, before the Final Commendation.3 (3 Ibid, no. 170; no 197.) In a funeral Mass, this would be right after the prayer after Holy Communion. It is a brief, 2 - 3 minutes remembrance of the life of the deceased in his/her practice of faith. It also includes words of appreciation for those who have helped to prepare and those are present at the funeral Mass. Being that this is given within the context of a Catholic funeral Mass in the Catholic Church, care should be exercised so that these words of remembrance do not contradict the values of the Catholic faith.

If you would like a few words of remembrance/thanksgiving shared, it will be limited to one person only. The speaker should have the written text approved and submitted to the officiating priest/deacon at least a few days prior to the Funeral Mass. The person (ideally, a practicing Catholic) chosen to deliver these remarks must be dressed appropriately. If the speaker goes off script and or speaks against the teachings of the Catholic Church, the speaker will be asked to stop.

F. Funeral Service Outside of Mass
Generally speaking, Mass may not be offered as part of the funeral rites for those not entitled to a Catholic funeral according to Church law. 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. This rite may also be appropriate for a deceased Catholic when no members of the family practice the faith. The body of the deceased is strongly encouraged to be present for the service.

The funeral liturgy outside of Mass is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church but may be celebrated in the home of the deceased, a funeral home or in a cemetery chapel.

Even though Mass may not be celebrated as part of the funeral rite in these situations, it may be offered at another time for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for the spiritual wellbeing of the relatives and friends.

G. Ecumenical Considerations
When requested by the Catholic relatives of a deceased baptized non- Catholic, a priest or deacon may conduct a prayer service, (funeral liturgy outside of Mass, not funeral Mass), for the non-Catholic in a funeral home, or cemetery.

H. Rite of Committal
This service at the cemetery is the last farewell, in which the Christian community honors one of its members before the body is buried or entombed. A priest or deacon will officiate the gravesite prayer service.

For those involved in civic organizations and those with additional affiliations, patriotic or fraternal services may also be conducted following the burial rite.

I. Cremation
Through the centuries, the Church has followed the practice of burial or entombment after the manner of Christ’s own burial. This expresses respect for the human body as a member of Christ and faith in the resurrection of the body. “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching” (canon 1176, §3).

It is the Church’s recommendation that if cremation of the body is to take place, it occurs following the Funeral Mass. However, if cremated immediately after death, the Church now permits the cremated remains to be brought into Church for the Funeral Mass. The cremated remains are treated equally as the body and should be placed in a visible urn or proper container.

Cremated remains should never be scattered or placed at the home of the family. Cremated remains should be placed in a worthy container, they should be buried in a grave or inurned in a columbarium niche.

J. Unbaptized Children/ Stillborn and fetuses
The Church’s funeral rites may be celebrated for a child who died before baptism and whose parents intended to have the child baptized. The Church urges that a stillborn baby or fetus of Catholic parents be interred whenever possible. The decision and procedure for the interment is left to the parents.

K. Preparation for the Funeral Service/Mass
- Before you set up the date and time of the service with the funeral home, please contact the parish/church, or have the funeral home contact the parish, to ensure the church and clergy are available. The church will not cancel any activities previously scheduled
  - Funeral Masses are not permitted on: Sundays at any time, Saturday after 1:30pm, Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday.
  - Funeral service without a Mass can be scheduled on most days of the year if the clergies are available.
- Scripture Readings: are chosen for Catholic funeral Masses/services. The options can be seen on our parish website. They are the Words of God and therefore, cannot be changed to fit personal reference. Family is encouraged to choose the readings but, it is not required. The celebrant of the Mass/service is happy to select appropriate Scripture readings if the family wishes. If you wish to choose the readings, there are two options:
  - Option 1: First Reading (either from the Old Testament(OT) or New Testament (NT), Responsorial Psalm, Gospel.
  - Option 2: First Reading from OT, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading from letters of the NT, Gospel.
- Hymns/Songs for Funeral Mass: Only specific songs are properly suited and used for a Funeral Mass and can be found on our website. Secular music is not allowed during the Vigil Service and Funeral Mass at the church, funeral home or at home. If you wish to play any secular music, please arrange it with the funeral home to take place either before or after the Vigil Service at the funeral home, or at the grave site, not at Church.
L. Remuneration Fees:
- The church offers the Funeral Mass/service free of charge for registered and non-registered parishioners. However, it is customary for families or individuals to make a donation to the church in the name of the deceased person or family member. The family can also make a donation of a memorial gift for a particular item to be used at church (i.e. vestments, altar candlesticks, altar cloths, church building fund, etc…)
- Clergy is also provided free of charge for parishioners and non-parishioners. The family may offer a stipend to the clergy as customary.
- Music is not needed at the funeral Mass/service. However, if you would like music for a funeral Mass/service, please offer a $100.00 stipend and give directly to the musician who can play the music on that day.
- The choir can sing at the funeral Mass/service free of charge, if requested. However, if you wish, you can donate to the choir for their musical expenses.
- You are welcomed to bring your own musician and cantor, but they must follow the guideline to choose music and song and they must be familiar with the Catholic Mass.
N. Reception after the Funeral and Use of the Parish Hall
- The facilities of the Church, including the parish hall, are supported by contributions from registered members of the church.
  - If the deceased and family of the deceased are registered parishioners, please follow the bereavement reception guidelines available at stmartindp.org/bereavement-ministry
  - If the deceased and family of the deceased are non-registered parishioners, and if you want to provide your own reception for your family and friends at our parish hall, the parish hall must first be available for rent at the current price of the rental contract.
O. Grief Sharing Ministry
- Grief is a normal reaction to losing someone you love. You are invited to the Grief Sharing group meetings, a safe place to find support. Meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month in the St. Dymphna Center, Room 1. For more information, contact Abby Caswell at [email protected] or Candy Rosilier at [email protected]
P. Related Questions

Disposal of Amputated Limbs
Amputated limbs should be buried in a blessed place, if possible. However, hospital personnel may dispose of portions of bodies in a manner they deem most suitable. Hygienic cremation is not excluded, but the preference of the individual or the family should be considered.

Organ Transplants & Donations of Bodies for Medical Science
“Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2296). Likewise, the donation of bodies is legitimate. However, in keeping with Christian respect for the body, there should be reasonable assurance that the remains will be disposed of in a reverent manner upon completion of the research.

ST. MARTIN de PORRES

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Funeral Guidelines

Guidelines for Funerals and Burials in the Catholic Church