The Catholic funeral

In its fullest form, there are three main stages to a Catholic funeral:

1. The Reception of the Body or Prayer Vigil, usually the evening before the funeral. This is popular but optional.
2. A funeral Mass or a funeral service without Mass.
3. The committal takes place at the cemetery or crematorium.

Not every Catholic funeral follows this pattern, but it will incorporate elements for each of the three stages.

Reception of the body

For the Reception of the Body, also called the Prayer Vigil, the coffin is taken into the church on the eve of the funeral, and people gather together to pray. It is traditional in many cultures, but there are good reasons why any Catholic family might want to have the service.

One of the benefits of having a Reception of the Body is that it gives the family their first sight of the coffin and allows them some quiet time with it ahead of the funeral. This helps them to prepare for the next day.

Mourners often pray the Rosary around the coffin. There may be music, readings and the sharing of memories of the person who has died.

A prayer vigil need not be in a church. It could also occur at the family home or a chapel at the funeral home.

The Church funeral – with or without Mass

The Church encourages Catholics to have a funeral Mass, also known as a Requiem Mass, because it includes Holy Communion. It, therefore, commemorates Christ’s death and resurrection at its heart.

If the person who has died were a practising Catholic, they would likely have wanted a funeral Mass in their parish church. In some parishes, funerals are celebrated at a regular weekday Mass and are part of the life of the parish.

****** Funerals are allowed on any day except for all Sundays of the year, Christmas Day and the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Thursday of Holy Week (Holy Thursday), and during the Paschal Triduum.

The consolation of a Catholic funeral

Even if you are distant from the Church, a funeral Mass can be very consoling. Those who have never been to a Mass are often deeply moved by it.

You may, nevertheless, prefer a funeral without Mass at the church, especially if very few Catholics are likely to attend. The proper name for this service is a ‘Funeral Outside Mass,’ and there is usually no Holy Communion. Apart from this, the service is similar to a Requiem Mass.

Music at Catholic funerals

There are many opportunities for hymns and church music at a Catholic funeral.  It is a good idea to choose hymns that everyone will know. We have a few options to be able to help you.