The order of christian funeral

At the center of the Catholic belief about death is the paschal mystery of Christ, that mystery which includes life here and hereafter and our own hope of resurrection. Therefore the actions of a Catholic community when one of its members dies must clearly as possible proclaim this central mystery. Particularly is this true when the community gathers to pray for the deceased and to support with its faith, hope, and love the grieving family and friends. 

The Vigil

The vigil for the deceased (or, as it is often called, the wake service) is normally the first of the funeral rites. At it, the Christian community gathers in prayer to console and support the grieving family and to intercede with God for the deceased. A priest, deacon, or layperson may preside. The family should clearly be a part of the assembly and not be separated from it by being in a different room. The vigil usually takes place in the funeral home. It is more appropriate that it take place in the Church, but only at a time well before the funeral liturgy; e.g., the evening before the funeral. 

The Liturgy of the Word–with readings from scriptures–is central of the Vigil.

A member of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased, either before the blessing or at another appropriate time during the vigil.

The rosary, if it hs been a part of the deceased devotion, may be recited.  Family members should lead in the praying of the rosary.

The Funeral Liturgy

Since the early days of the Church, bereaved Christians have gathered at the Lord’s Table to share their faith in Christ’s victory over death and to celebrate the goodness of God.The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral. The funeral Mass includes the reception of the body, if this has not already occurred, the celebration of the liturgy of the word, the liturgy of the eucharist, and the final commendation and farewell.

Place: the funeral Mass is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church. The church is the place where the Christian life is begotten in baptism, nourished in the eucharist, and where the community gathers to commend one of its deceased members to the almighty God.

Our parish ministers will help you plan this liturgy, according to Catholic ritual, with consideration for family preferences. Our parish will arrange for a priest to preside at the funeral Mass. Catholics have long preferred that the casket of the deceased be brought into church in procession to be placed before the altar. Similarly, cremated remains may be placed before the altar. A Funeral Mass may be celebrated only in a Catholic church. One eulogy, approximately three to four minutes, may be delivered by a member or a friend of the family at the end of Mass. This eulogy needs to be appropriate for liturgy and focus on the deceased. A liturgy guide can be download at the end of this page.

The Rite of Comittal

This rite take place graveside. It is the final act of the faith community in caring for the body of its deceased member. By their presence at this rite the community members help the mourners face the end of one relationship with the deceased and the beginning of a new one based on prayerful remembrance, gratitude, and the hope of resurrection and reunion The act of committal takes place either during the rite or at its conclusion to express the full meaning of the rite: that the grave, once a sign of despair, is now, through Christ's own death and resurrection, a sign of hope and promise.  This rite is led by a priest, a deacon, or a designated lay minister.