For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.                                                                                   Romans 8:39
 

As Catholics, we live in the hope and reality that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ – nothing in life; nothing in death. Still, the most difficult event we experience in this life is the death of a loved one.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Rites of Christian Burial for two reasons:

An Overview of Catholic Funeral Rites*

*(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Order of Christian Funerals, no. 4)
"At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist."

The Catholic funeral rite is divided into several stations, or parts, each with its own purpose. For this reason, we recommend following the complete structure and making use of each station.

Vigil Service (Wake)

"At the vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ's presence" (Order of Christian Funerals, no. 56). The Vigil Service usually takes place during the period of visitation and viewing at the funeral home. It is a time to remember the life of the deceased and to commend him/her to God. In prayer we ask God to console us in our grief and give us strength to support one another.
The Vigil Service can take the form of a Service of the Word with readings from Sacred Scripture accompanied by reflection and prayers. It can also take the form of one of the prayers of the Office for the Dead from the Liturgy of the Hours. The clergy and your funeral director can assist in planning such service.
It is most appropriate, when family and friends are gathered together for visitation, to offer time for recalling the life of the deceased. For this reason, eulogies are usually encouraged to be done at the funeral home during visitation or at the Vigil Service.
 

Funeral Liturgy/Mass of Christian Burial

The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. When one of its members dies, the Church encourages the celebration of the funeral liturgy at a Mass. When Mass cannot be celebrated, a funeral liturgy outside Mass can be celebrated at the church or in the funeral home.
At the funeral liturgy, the Church gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ's victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God's tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery. The funeral liturgy, therefore, is an act of worship, and not merely an expression of grief.

Rite of Committal (Burial or Interment)

The Rite of Committal, the conclusion of the funeral rite, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. It should normally be celebrated at the place of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment. In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses the hope that, with all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection. The Rite of Committal is an expression of the communion that exists between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven: the deceased passes with the farewell prayers of the community of believers into the welcoming company of those who need faith no longer, but see God face-to-face.

Some additional planning thoughts:

1.    While the Rite of Christian Burial is typically celebrated for baptized Catholics, the Catholic Church also allows the rites to be celebrated for unbaptized children (of Christian families) and baptized members of non-Catholic communities of faith.

2.    While the Catholic Church continues to encourage the ancient custom of burying the dead, cremation is permitted. When considering cremation, the following are the options for a funeral liturgy:

• The body may be brought to the church for the funeral Mass and then cremation follows.

• A service of prayer and Scripture reading may take place in the funeral home with cremation following.

• Please note that it is the Church's expectation that out of respect for the remains of the deceased, the ashes of cremated persons should be buried or entombed.

• Families may participate in Funeral Masses in the following ways:

• Placing the pall (white cloth) over the casket at the beginning of the liturgy

• Reading the first or second Scriptural readings

• Being part of the procession with the gifts (usually two people)

• Selecting Scripture readings and hymns to be used during the liturgy

• Only Scriptural readings may be selected for use at a funeral Mass.  Suggested readings will be provided.  No readings from secular sources may be used. You may choose one Old Testament and one New Testament reading in addition to the Gospel. You may also elect to have proclaimed only one reading (Old or New Testament) and the Gospel.

• Singing a solo or playing an instrument (through working with our music director)

3.    We welcome the presence of other priests as co-presiders at funeral Masses. If the family requests another priest to conduct the entire funeral, the family should contact the priest, verify his availability, and ask him to contact our Pastor to confirm his willingness to celebrate the Rites of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist-St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Guest priest must call to confirm their participation in the funeral Mass.

As you plan the funeral for your loved one, consider it a gift to the deceased, and his or her friends and family. We all need an opportunity to contemplate the value of life, offer gratitude to the Lord for this life well lived and have a moment to offer our loved one a fitting farewell until you meet again.