Barbara's Funeral

(our only Roman Catholic resident has died and we have all been to the local Roman Catholic church for her funeral today)

Funeral Mass

The Mass is the liturgical center of the Order of Christian Funerals. The body of the deceased must be present in the Church for this ritual. The most meaningful celebrations are when the Scripture texts, prayers and musical selections have been chosen beforehand to reflect the life and faith of the person who has died. The Church community will help in this selection process and is usually willing to provide lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and other ministers as needed. All selections should empower the full participation of those gathered to celebrate this liturgy in responses and singing,. Only Catholics should take communion, but everyone should rise and kneel at appropriate times throughout the service.

Many symbols are used during the funeral Mass. Theses include The Paschal (Easter) Candle reminding us of Christ's Resurrection, The holy water (which is sprinkled on the casket) and the pall (white cloth placed on casket) reminding us of our Baptism. Family members are invited to place on the coffin a religious symbol that was meaningful to the deceased person, such as a crucifix, bible, prayer book or rosary.

The Order of the Service

1. Entrance Procession the body is brought into church
2. Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
3. First Reading
4. Responsorial Psalm
5. Second Reading
6. Gospel passage
7. Sermon
8. Apostle's C reed Presentation of Gifts
9. Rite of Peace
10. Consecration
11. Communion
12. Final Commendation At most Masses this is the time for the incensing of the casket
13. Recessional The deceased is taken out of the church to the final resting place.

Funeral Liturgy without A Mass

This rite will be used, with the body of the deceased present, when the Funeral Mass is not permitted, namely on solemn feasts including Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday or when for pastoral reasons the pastor and the family judge that the funeral liturgy outside Mass is a more suitable form of celebration. This rite normally takes place in the parish church but many also be celebrated in the home of the deceased, a funeral home or cemetery chapel. Selections for prayers and Scripture readings may be bade, however, this rite includes neither the liturgy of the Eucharist nor the distribution of Eucharist.