The Catholic Funeral
In our prayers and rituals surrounding a funeral, the sadness of death gives way to the promise of resurrected life. St. Elizabeth Seton is honored to offer the complete rites as a means of consolation for the living and prayers for the deceased.
Scheduling the Funeral Mass
The first step to take when planning a funeral is to contact the St. Elizabeth Seton Funeral Coordinator at (623) 866-5233. It is important to speak with the Funeral Coordinator before making specific plans with a mortuary. They will consult the schedules for the church, priests and deacons to set a date and time. The Funeral Coordinator will explain the specifics of the Funeral Mass and committal and help you make proper selections of Sacred Scripture and music for these rituals. We have several options for both.
Funeral Rites of the Catholic Church
I Vigil for the Deceased (Wake)
The Vigil is the official prayer of the Church for the deceased and the first of three major rites celebrated by the Christian community. The Vigil is celebrated between the time of death and the funeral liturgy, often on the evening before the funeral Mass.
The Vigil may take place in the home of the deceased, or in the church (depending on availability), but most often takes place at the funeral home. A priest, deacon or layperson may preside at the Vigil service.
The Vigil takes the form similar to the Liturgy of the Word celebrated at Mass.
It centers on readings from Sacred Scripture, psalms, a brief homily or reflection, and intercessory prayer.
The Vigil service is the preferred time for family and friends to offer stories, remembrances, and eulogies on the life of the deceased. There is no eulogy in the Funeral Mass itself.
Devotional prayers such as the rosary are sometimes offered at this service, but are not part of the Church’s Vigil ritual.
II Funeral Mass
The Mass of Christian Burial is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased. In this Mass, the Christian community reaffirms that through baptism we share in Christ’s death and resurrection and look forward to the day when we will be raised up and united in the Kingdom of light and peace.
The Funeral Mass is normally celebrated in the parish church on the day of burial or committal. A priest presides at a Funeral Mass. A team of other ministries help as needed.
If a body is present, the Funeral Mass begins at the entrance of the church, as the body of the deceased is received. The coffin is sprinkled with Holy Water and the pall is placed upon it to recall the deceased’s baptism. Other Christian symbols, such as a Cross or Book of the Gospels may also be placed upon it. The body is then processed toward the altar and placed near the Paschal Candle.
If the deceased has been cremated, the remains are given the same respect as a body. The urn is placed on a table near the Paschal Candle before Mass. The cremated remains are sprinkled with Holy Water at the beginning of Mass to recall the deceased’s baptism.
Mass continues with the Opening Prayer and the Liturgy of the Word. The family is invited to choose appropriate Scripture readings and to proclaim the First and Second readings. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated as usual, with the reception of Holy Communion.
The final commendation follows the prayer after Communion. At this time, the deceased is entrusted to God’s care in a song of farewell, often accompanied by incense. The prayer of commendation and a procession with the body to the place of burial/committal concludes the Mass.
III Burial/Committal
The Rite of Burial or Committal takes place as soon as possible after the Funeral Mass, preferably on the same day. The ritual prayers are offered at the place of repose for the deceased, either an open grave or a columbarium for an urn. A priest, deacon or layperson may preside at this service.
The Rite of Committal includes a Scripture verse, the prayer of committal, intercessions, the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing. The lowering of the body or placing of the urn takes place following the ritual.
Cremation
The Catholic Church permits cremation, unless it is evident that cremation was chosen for anti-Christian motives (i.e. the scattering of ashes). The cremation can be done either before or following the Funeral Mass. Cremation after the Funeral Mass is preferred, as it allows the body of the deceased to be present for the rituals.
The Church does not permit the remains of the deceased to be scattered, kept in a private home, or separated in any way. The overriding principle is that cremated remains must be given the same respect as a person’s body.
Pre-planning Your Funeral
Planning your funeral in advance can be a great gift to your family, as they can know your wishes as they pertain to the Funeral Mass and other arrangements. The St. Elizabeth Seton Funeral Coordinator will be honored to help you with planning a funeral and will keep your information on file and make sure you have a copy for your records.
