A Catholic Funeral Mass: A Guide - FuneralDirect (2023)

FAQs

What is the order of a Catholic Mass funeral? ›

Three separate rites comprise our Catholic Funeral Rites: The Vigil, The Liturgy, and The Committal. Each rite serves a distinct purpose to assist you on the path to healing. Each rite can be personalized to a degree to impart a deeper meaning relevant to the life of the deceased and to those who mourn.

The Archdiocese of Detroit notes, for example, on its website: “Funeral Masses are not allowed in funeral homes. The funeral liturgy outside of Mass, as provided in the 'Order of Christian Funerals,' is allowed in the funeral home.”

A Catholic funeral actually consists of three parts, each of which may occur at different times. The first part is the Vigil service, which takes place at the wake. Next is the Funeral Mass, which is the traditional funeral ceremony. Finally, there is the Rite of Committal.

In the Catholic Church, there are two forms – a Funeral Mass or a Funeral Service (Ceremony without Mass). As you work with your Funeral Director, you may find the following information helpful. Your Funeral Director will make arrangements with us regarding the place and time of the celebration.

A Funeral Mass has the body of the deceased or the cremated remains of the deceased present and has all the special prayers attributed to that Mass. When the body or the cremated remains are not present it is called a Memorial Mass.

The funeral liturgy will include at least one reading from the Old Testament and a psalm, which are read by family, friends or the priest. The priest will read a passage from one of the gospels, deliver a homily and give a eulogy for the person who has died.

While suits and jackets aren't required, you will not look out of place if you decide to go that route. On the other end of the spectrum, it's best to avoid wearing jeans or overly casual clothing.

Church Funeral

It is common for practicing Catholics to have a funeral Mass, which includes Holy Communion. By doing this, they're literally commemorating Christ's death and resurrection. A Catholic Mass can be profoundly moving, as they include music, prayers, and hymns.

A funeral mass takes place in the church some days later. Flowers are welcome and appreciated in the Roman Catholic faith. You can send them to the family home, church, or funeral home.

Do you have to wear black to a funeral? In short, no. When it comes to knowing what to wear to a funeral that's not black, there are an array of alternatives that men and women can wear. Although black is the most traditional of colors, smart and dark clothing is also acceptable.

Who should attend a funeral Mass? ›

Close family and friends of the person who died will likely attend the visitation and funeral service. Others may attend both or may need to or prefer to attend one or the other but not both. Visitation may take place the day before the funeral, the evening before or even just hours before the funeral service.

A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead (Latin: Missa pro defunctis) or Mass of the dead (Latin: Missa defunctorum), is a Mass of the Catholic Church offered for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal.

Our Sunday Mass obligation is based on the Third Commandment: “Remember the sabbath day — keep it holy” (Ex 20:8). All of the commandments of God are serious matter, so to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday — without a just reason — would objectively be considered a mortal sin.

As a Catholic, may I be cremated? Yes. In May 1963, the Vatican's Holy Office (now the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith) lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation.

However, in the face of these modern trends, Catholics are encouraged to celebrate a funeral in three stages or movements, reflecting the Easter journey of Jesus Christ, from death to resurrection: The Vigil, The Funeral Liturgy and The Committal.

For example, while a typical Christian funeral ceremony may last 30 to 60 minutes, a Buddhist funeral service that includes meditation, songs, and chanting may be much longer. Other religious funerals, such as Hindu funerals (sometimes known as Terahvin), can be shorter.

If a funeral Mass is celebrated for a non-Catholic, for instance, the name of the deceased should not be included in the Eucharistic prayer, but their name can be used in the other prayers. For a family member who is non-baptized, a priest or deacon could, if requested, offer prayers for the deceased in a funeral home.

The rationale is that eulogies are often considered the centrepiece of the service, and therefore detract from the mass and its central message, which is the Christian meaning of death.

Funeral minister, clergy, or religious leader

While there isn't usually a fee for this practice, it's appropriate to leave a tip. Don't feel pressured to pay more than you can afford. Anything from $50-$300+ is fair, and this money is usually given directly to the church or religious organization.

Eulogies are not considered a part of the Catholic liturgical tradition for funeral rites. If a eulogy is requested, the most appropriate place for a funeral eulogy is at the vigil, rosary, or a reception before the funeral Mass.

How long is a Catholic Mass funeral? ›

Full Catholic funerals with a Mass typically last an hour or more. Catholic funerals where a full Mass doesn't occur are typically shorter, coming in at about 40 minutes.

Depending on the traditions and customs observed by the individual the most traditional items include sympathy flowers, baked goods and desserts, fruit, dried fruit, & nuts, and assorted chocolates.

The mourning period usually lasts for forty days, but this depends on the traditions of the family. This will be a time to gather and reflect on the loved ones life and the loss to the family and community.

As a neutral color, white should not be considered inappropriate at most North American funerals. Though you should ask the family hosting the service when in doubt, plain, neutral colors are generally acceptable for memorials. Wearing white in conjunction with other dark tones is absolutely appropriate.

The family of someone who dies wears white mourning, in the hope that their loved ones are reborn again. The idea of white mourning, otherwise known as deuil blanc in French, was formed during the 16th century when white was worn by bereaved children and unmarried women.

Cremation does not “prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life,” the Vatican says, but it does raise the possibility that the deceased's body, which the church believes is sacred, will not be properly respected by ancestors and relatives.

Flowers, sympathy cards, custom keepsakes, and donations are all appropriate gifts to bring to a funeral. While a gift is certainly not required, it can be a thoughtful way to communicate your love for those grieving. Flower and plant arrangements can often be sent to the funeral home prior to the service.

During the Procession of the Holy Cross, on Good Friday, men and boys dress in purple robes and hoods as a sign of mourning and symbol of the pain and suffering of Christ's crucifixion. Many devout Catholics in Brazil also wear purple, alongside black, while mourning the loss of a loved one.

You should not wear jeans to a funeral. You should wear business attire or more formal clothing unless otherwise specified by the family of the deceased.

When should you not go to a funeral? ›

5 reasons not to go to the funeral:

Your attendance at the service would be upsetting to any member of the immediate family. The services are private and not open to the public. The services are out of town and you cannot get there, or you cannot arrange for the time off work.

What is appropriate clothing for a funeral? Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that's conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.

The Catholic Rosary/Vigil Prayer Service is usually held the evening before the Funeral Mass. Much like a viewing or a wake, family and friends gather at the funeral home to pray and remember their loved one. A priest or deacon will than proceed with the rosary/vigil funeral ceremony.

Funeral Liturgy

The Funeral Mass is the principle celebration of the Catholic funeral, where family and friends join to reaffirm that life has not ended.

The homily, given after the Gospel by the priest or deacon, is an interpretation of the person's life by reference to the suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ.

As a general rule, Catholics are obliged to attend Mass each Sunday. This is in fulfillment of the Second Commandment. Simply watching Mass on TV does not fulfill the obligation. A Catholic who can reasonably do so must attend Mass at a parish church or oratory.

The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

These sins are vices and are defined as contrary to the Christian virtues of holiness. They are pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth (acedia).

It is not permitted to divide the cremated remains and retain, inter or entomb them in more than one place. It is also not permitted to divide the cremated remains in such a way that they are contained in lockets or jewelry.

What's really returned to you is the person's skeleton. Once you burn off all the water, soft tissue, organs, skin, hair, cremation container/casket, etc., what you're left with is bone. When complete, the bones are allowed to cool to a temperature that they can be handled and are placed into a processing machine.

Can Catholics get tattoos? ›

Paul makes it perfectly clear that the ceremonial law is no longer binding. I'll cut to the chase: There is nothing immoral about tattoos. Mother Church has never condemned them, and neither can I. It is one of those areas where a Catholic must follow his or her conscience.

Elements of a Catholic Funeral

A vigil service with either the body or cremated remains present. If the body is present, the casket may be either open or closed. A funeral Mass or service with either the body or cremated remains present. If the body is not present, the service is referred to as a Memorial Mass.

Women and girls must wear dresses or skirts that cover the knee completely when sitting or standing; slacks, shorts, sleeveless, tight or low-cut clothing or dresses with long cuts or slits are to be avoided. Men and boys should wear suit coats and ties. (Except in very hot weather)

An order of service outlines everything that will happen in the funeral ceremony, such as readings, prayers and songs. It's also a way to remember the person who has died, by sharing photos and memories of them. An order of service is usually a small, printed booklet that's given to people who go to the funeral.

The Catholic Rites are comprised of three separate and vital parts. The Vigil, Funeral Mass and the Committal. Through these sacred and solemn Catholic Rites, the family and friends of the deceased are reminded of the companionship and support of Christ and all believers.

The front rows are for the immediate family so sit nearer the back if you did not know the person very well. However, if there are few mourners present then sit nearer to the front. It does not matter which side of the 'aisle' you sit.

The speech is ideally given by someone who knew the person well enough to gather and share memories and highlights of his/her life. Sometimes the choice is obvious within the family. There is often one person who seems to be the unofficial family spokesperson.