A Wake or Vigil may take place in the funeral home or in the church (provided it takes place well before the funeral liturgy). Its structure includes introductory rites, the liturgy of the Word, prayers of intercession, and a concluding rite. A priest, deacon or layperson may preside at this liturgy. The vigil service is the preferred time for family and friends to offer stories, reflections, and eulogies on the life of the deceased.

Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased.  The funeral Mass usually takes place at the parish church of the deceased. The Mass includes the reception of the body (if this has not already take place), the casket/coffin is sprinkled with holy water and the pall (white blanket) is placed upon it by family or friends of the deceased to recall the deceased’s baptism. Other Christian symbols, such as the Book of Gospels or a cross may be placed on top of the pall. The casket/coffin is then carried in procession toward the altar and placed near the paschal candle. Mass continues as the community celebrates the Liturgy of the Word, the homily is based on the readings and focuses on the paschal mystery and God’s love. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated as usual, followed by the prayer after Communion and then the final commendation (unless the commendation will be celebrated at the place of committal). At this time the deceased is entrusted to God’s tender care. The song of farewell is the climax of the rite of final commendation. This song, sung by the assembly, has a specific function: to affirm hope and trust in the paschal mystery. Incensing may take place during or following the song of farewell.

The commendation is the prayer in which “the community calls upon God’s mercy, commends the deceased into God’s hands, and affirms its belief that those who have died in Christ will share in Christ’s victory over death.”

Rite of Committal concludes the liturgical rites of a Catholic funeral; the burial of the deceased generally follows the rite of committal. The committal ordinarily takes place where the body of the deceased is to be buried (or “committed”) to the ground, or where the remains are to be interred. The committal is “the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member.” The rite includes the final commendation (unless the commendation has already been celebrated at the funeral Mass).

YES. While a funeral Mass is preferred, a funeral liturgy outside Mass is permitted. The rite may be used for various reasons:  when the funeral Mass is not permitted, namely, on solemnities of obligation, on Holy Thursday and the Easter Triduum;  when in some places or circumstances it is not possible to celebrate the funeral Mass before the committal (for example, if a priest is not available); when for pastoral reasons the parish priest (pastor) and the family decide that the funeral liturgy outside Mass is a more suitable form of celebration.

YES. The Church’s rites do allow a member or a friend of the family to speak in remembrance of the deceased prior to the final commendation. This is not a full eulogy, but a brief reflection (one person during Mass, duration: 5 minutes).  If a family decides to deliver a eulogy during Mass or Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass, it ought to be communicated with the presider prior to beginning of the Liturgy.  The vigil service is the preferred time for family and friends to offer stories, reflections, and eulogies on the life of the deceased.

The focus of a Christian funeral is the paschal mystery: the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because the focus is first on God, an optional eulogy does not play an essential part within the funeral liturgy. This does not mean we cannot reflect on and celebrate the life of the deceased. It does mean that such a celebration (sharing memories and stories about the loved one) of the life of the deceased would be more appropriate to a non-liturgical gathering (for example, a post-funeral luncheon).

NO. Any national flags or the flags or insignia of associations to which the deceased belonged are to be removed from the casket/coffin at the entrance of the church. They may be replaced after the casket/coffin has been taken from the church. Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the casket/coffin during the funeral liturgy.

A Catholic Cemetery is a sacred place that is set aside by the local church’s bishop.  It is not a requirement to be Catholic to be buried in a Catholic cemetery.  Within the norms for Catholic burial, a Catholic may choose to be buried in a cemetery other than a Catholic one.  The rite of committal includes a ritual for blessing the place of burial if it has not been previously blessed.

Cremation is permitted by the Catholic Church as long as this decision does not defy the faith of the Church in the bodily resurrection. The Church prefers that cremation takes place after the full funeral liturgy with the body. However, in the American culture, cremation has taken place immediately or soon after death. “Sometimes, however, it is not possible for the body to be present for the Funeral Mass. When extraordinary circumstances make the cremation of a body, the only feasible choice, pastoral sensitivity must be exercised by all who minister to the family of the deceased.” (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II)

Appropriate, worthy containers (not necessarily expensive) such as a classic urn are proper for the cremated remains. Although jewelry, dishes, statuary and space capsules are examples of designer containers now being offered, they are unacceptable in Catholic funeral practices. It is also unacceptable to have your cremated remains made into jewelry, dishes and the like.

YES.

Respectful final disposition of cremated remains involves internment or entombment. Burial options include a family grave in a cemetery marked with a traditional memorial stone or an urn garden, a special section in a cemetery with small, pre-dug graves for urns.

A common practice is the entombment of the cremated remains in a “columbarium.” It is an arrangement of niches, either in a mausoleum, a room or wall into which an urn or other worthy vessel is placed for permanent memorial.

NO.

“The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires.” (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II)

YES.

Burial at sea of cremated remains differs from scattering. An appropriate and worthy container, heavy enough to be sent to its final resting place, may be dropped into the sea. The burial of cremated remains at sea in this manner seems to be an appropriate alternative to the long-standing and revered custom of a traditional burial at sea. Please consult your local government for environmental regulations. (See Order of Christian Funerals, #405.4)

In most cases you make the decision to be cremated. However, your survivors may decide to have you cremated, generally due to special family circumstances, but rarely against your will.

If you desire that your body be cremated you can make those wishes known in your will and in documents designed to help plan and prepare your funeral.

Out of respect for loved ones, you will want to do all you can to carry out the wishes of the deceased concerning funeral services provided they are in keeping with Church practice. Yet, you must always keep in mind the therapeutic value to the family of celebrating the full funeral liturgy with the body present. This may significantly outweigh your reasons for cremation before the funeral liturgy.

All the usual rites which are celebrated with a body present may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. The United States’ bishops have recently written new prayers and have printed them as an appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the body.