The Funeral Mass
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Photo courtesy of Michael Alexander, The Georgia Bulletin |
The funeral mass is the central rite by which Catholics bid farewell to their loved ones and commend them to God. Each step of the funeral rite has a long tradition and a deep meaning that consoles us in our loss, while expressing our fundamental hope in the resurrection. This article describes the parts of the funeral rite in an attempt to offer an explanation of their meaning and purpose.
Introductory Rites
Before the funeral begins, the family gathers around the coffin at the entry to the church, together with the priest and ministers. Here, he begins the ceremony, and sprinkles the casket with holy water, a sign of the baptism that first united the deceased with God and with His Church. In baptism, the soul of the deceased was made pure and pleasing to God, and this was symbolized by a white baptismal gown. Now, a white pall may be placed over the casket as a sign of that same gift. Thanks to the pall, the caskets of poor and rich all look alike when they are brought into the Church – what matters is not the person's means, but the mantel of Christ's grace that covers them and embraces them. The mortal remains of the deceased are then brought into the church building, just as baptism first brought them into Christ's presence. Their body passes inside the church for a final time, where it often came in life to receive Christ's grace and teaching, and be nourished with His sacraments. When the casket reaches the front of the isle, it is placed before the paschal candle, a sign of the light of Christ within the soul – a light that continues to burn, undiminished, even after death. When the family and all of the mourners have taken their places, the priest then gathers everyone together into a prayer asking God to grant eternal life to the one who has gone before us.
Liturgy of the Word
After the prayer, everyone is seated for the liturgy of the word. The readings from scripture are chosen from the many offered by the Church to show how God's grace touched the life of the individual who is now before God. Scripture has many words that speak of God's care for his people – both the living and the deceased, and so the liturgy of the word sets out those words that they might touch the hearts of those who are alive, and give them comfort in their loss. A psalm expresses the heart's trust in God's goodness at the moment of death. Finally, a reading from the Gospel speaks Christ's own words of consolation and healing.
After the readings, the priest speaks to the people, giving a brief homily that ties the Word of God spoken in the scriptures to the life of the one who has died. The homily addresses those who are present and shows God's goodness and grace in this time of loss. Following the homily, the priest may invite those present to join in the general intercessions, a series of prayers for the one who has died, and for all those in need.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
After the general intercessions, bread and wine are brought forward, and the priest begins the Eucharistic Prayer, doing again what Christ did at the Last Supper, when he promised that he had overcome the world, and would give peace to his disciples (John 16:33). The priest speaks Christ's words, making present the sacrifice by which Christ gave His own life so that those who believe in Him might have true and everlasting life. Those who are joined in the faith of the Catholic Church then receive Holy Communion, a promise of Christ's life and resurrection. In the same way, the one who has died was nourished by Christ's body and blood, and has received the grace that is the promise of eternal life.
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Photo courtesy of Michael Alexander, |
Final Commendation
Before the final commendation, a family member might speak a few words in remembrance of the deceased, if this has not already been done at the vigil. Then the priest invites all to pray, and may incense the body, the smoke rising to heaven like the prayers offered for the deceased, or even like the soul itself, rising from this world to the more perfect world of heaven. A final song of farewell is said, the prayer of commendation is made, and then the priest and ministers precede the coffin out of the church. The family and friends follow, and all go together to the cemetery, where the body will be laid to rest.
For more information, contact your local parish or:
The Office of Divine Worship
Archdiocese of Atlanta
404-751-2398
Go to the Guide to Catholic Funerals 