Guidelines for Funerals & Burials in the Catholic Church in the Dioceses of BC and the Yukon
Foreword
These Guidelines for Funerals and Burials in the Catholic Church provide Catholics with the Church’s teaching on matters related to Christian burial.
Death in the Christian Context
The events which surround death call for a community response. While the immediate family bears the burden of sorrow, relatives, friends and parishioners provide prayerful support.
ChurchLaw
“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).
Vigil Service
In her 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.
The wake or prayer service may take the form of one of the vigil services contained in the funeral ritual or a similar service, such as the prayer of the Rosary. It usually happens on the day preceding the funeral. Preferably, it is held in the church but may take place in the funeral home or the home of the deceased.
Funeral Mass
The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral. While following the directives of the Church’s ritual in planning the liturgical celebration, the choice of music, color of vestments, biblical readings and homily should reflect the family’s wishes, acknowledging as well the community aspect of faith which remains unbroken in death.
The Funeral Mass is customarily celebrated on the day of burial. However, for pastoral reasons the Mass may be celebrated at some other time before the burial, such as the previous evening. In any event, there should be only one Funeral Mass.
Since the proper setting for Mass is a sacred place, Mass is not to be celebrated in a funeral home or similar facility.
The body of the deceased should be present in church for the Funeral Mass or “Mass of Christian Burial.” The term “Mass of the Resurrection” is incorrect for the Funeral Mass.
Keeping in mind that liturgical roles are ordinarily to be fulfilled only by Catholics, members of the family who are Catholic are encouraged to assume the role of readers and assist in the offertory procession. They may receive Holy Communion under both species. Non-Catholics may serve as pallbearers.
The casket remains closed during the funeral and should be covered with a white pall in remembrance of the baptismal garment. In addition to its liturgical significance, the pall serves a very practical purpose: it avoids ostentation, prevents possible embarrassment of the poor and emphasizes Christians’ equality before God.
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.
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 properly includes 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.
A brief eulogy may take place, but in this order of preference: at the conclusion of the vigil service; before the Funeral Mass begins; following the prayers of committal at the cemetery; or at the Funeral luncheon.
The speaker should have the written text approved beforehand by the officiating priest. There should be only one eulogist and that person must be of upright reputation.
Funeral Liturgy 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 should be present for the service.
The funeral liturgy outside 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.
Ecumenical Considerations
When requested by the Catholic relatives of a deceased baptized non-Catholic, a priest may conduct a prayer service for the non-Catholic in a funeral home.
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.
Place of Burial
Whenever possible, those who were part of the Catholic community are buried in a Catholic cemetery. As well as being a sacred place, it recalls the community of all the faithful, living and deceased. When a Catholic is to be interred in other than a Catholic cemetery, the priest will bless the individual space and then follow the usual ritual.
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. With priest and mourners accompanying the body to the cemetery, the rite is celebrated at the grave or tomb or in a cemetery committal chapel.
When a non-Catholic is to be buried in a Catholic cemetery, the minister of the deceased’s faith community may conduct the burial service according to the minister’s own ritual. If the family of the non-Catholic deceased person requests a Catholic priest to conduct the burial service, the priest will celebrate a rite which is appropriate.
For those involved in civic organizations and those with additional affiliations, patriotic or fraternal services may also be conducted following the burial rite.
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 priest’s responsibility to verify the proper motivation and to determine that those arranging for the funeral have made satisfactory provision for the cremated remains, preferably in a Catholic cemetery. When these required conditions are met, the various elements of the Catholic funeral rite are conducted in the usual way.
In most cases, it is recommended that cremation take place following the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy; however, it is permissible for cremation to take place before the Funeral Liturgy.
In this case, the ashes are to be placed on a small table covered with a white cloth. The table is placed in front of the altar, not in the place that the casket usually occupies, but a little to the side. The paschal candle, holy water and incense may be used; the alternative form of the dismissal is used.
Cremated remains should never be scattered. They should be placed in their entirety in a secure vessel and buried in a grave or inurned in a columbarium niche, preferably in a Catholic cemetery.
Funeral Offerings
An offering to the parish for funeral services is customary and may be suggested according to the approved diocesan schedule for such offerings. However, a funeral service, including Mass in the church with the body present and a committal service, is given to the poor free of charge.
Pastoral Elements
Arrangements for funeral, burial or cremation should be discussed with the priest before being finalized. 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 about the liturgical rites.
Prearranged plans for funeral and cemetery needs are recommended.
Mass and prayers offered for the deceased are important practices of Catholic life. The Paschal Sacrifice offered for the dead assures that the deceased obtains spiritual help, and the living receives the consolation of hope. Also commendable are gifts offered to worthwhile charities, especially those which carry out the mission of the Church, in memory of the deceased.
Related Questions
Unbaptized Children
The Church’s funeral rites may be celebrated for a child who died before baptism and whose parents intended to have the child baptized.
Burial of Stillborn and Fetuses
The Church urges that stillborn and fetuses of Catholic parents be interred whenever possible. The decision and procedure for the interment is left to the parents and their pastor.
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.
Revised by the Bishops of BCand Yukonon the Memorial of St.Agatha – Feb 5, 2020.
The following policy is hereby superseded:
Guidelines for Funerals & Burials in the Catholic Churchin the
Dioceses of BC and the Yukon, issued December 15, 2016
AppendixA: Explanatory Notes for a Eulogy during Funeral Rites
The following Notes are provided in addition to the “Eulogy” section in the Guidelines for Funerals and Burials in the Catholic Church:
- 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 properly includes 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” (n.27).
- If family members wish to remember their loved one during the Funeral Rites, theymust ask and obtain permission from the officiating priest or deacon at the time of the planning for thefuneral.
- It is important to distinguish between a eulogy, which takes place before or after the Liturgy, from remarks about the deceased, which take place in a non-liturgical setting, such as at a reception following the Vigil or FuneralMass.
- If there is to be a eulogy, the following order of preference regarding its placement is to beobserved:
- at the conclusion of the VigilService
- before the beginning of the FuneralMass
- following the Prayers of Committal at thecemetery.
- The officiating priest, who needs to care for both the integrity of the Liturgy and the reputation of the deceased, should make every effort to ensure that the eulogist is of upright character. He should feel free to see and edit the textbeforehand.
- The eulogy itself should be brief and should concentrate on the life of the loved one, highlighting his or her virtues and faith journey, without “canonizing” thedeceased.
Approved by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, 15 December 2016.
Springfield Funeral Home
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the information in these pages is accurate and in accordance with the teachings of the Church and/or the customs and practices of the local church, specifically the Diocese of Nelson. Springfield Funeral Home does not represent or speak on behalf of the Diocese of Nelson. Please defer to the directive of the local ordinary or to the Pastor of the parish if there is a discrepancy of information contained in these pages. Local parishes may have their own traditions, requests and/or resources. We would appreciate to be notified of any errors, whether liturgical or grammatical in nature. Please send any such notices to contact@springfieldfuneralhome.com.
