National Centre for Liturgy

The death of a Christian is not the end of life, but rather a 
transformation in an onward journey towards eternal life with God. We 
believe that this call to eternal life begins for all Christians in the 
waters of baptism. Nevertheless for those family and friends who are 
bereaved there is sadness in parting, and death when it comes, even when 
it has been expected, such as after a long illness, always leaves a sense 
of loss and shock. The Catholic Church has over many centuries developed 
a rich tradition in its liturgy for funerals. This liturgy seeks to balance 
the need to console those who are mourning with the hope in the person of 
Christ who is our “life and our resurrection”. The Catholic funeral rites 
commend the deceased to the mercy of God, and as we give thanks to God for 
the life of a Christian we pray that God may forgive whatever sins the 
deceased may have committed through human weakness.

	By a series of services the Order of Christian Funerals - the book 
we use at funerals- provides a means by which with prayer the local church 
community may support the personal grief of a family from the time of the 
death of a loved one to the final committal at the graveside by a series of 
services. Some of these prayers are celebrated in the intimacy of the home, 
while others are intended as public worship in a church. The funeral rites 
thus present a balance between sharing with the personal grief of the family 
and the celebration of the public liturgy of the Church.  

The ties of friendship and affection do not unravel with death
	In Ireland there is a strong tradition of “the wake” which presents 
an occasion when friends of the bereaved family can extend consolation and 
sympathy.  This time offers an opportunity when personal reminiscences of 
the deceased can be shared on a more intimate level, and the interests and 
associations that the deceased shared in his or her life with others can be 
recalled. During this time it is important that the priest who will preside 
at the funeral meets with the family and prepares with them the liturgy of 
the Funeral Mass.
	The Vigil for the deceased is envisaged as the principal rite celebrated 
by the Christian community in the time following death and before the funeral 
liturgy. The Vigil is centred on a liturgy of the Word. This will include 
prayers and may also provide an opportunity for a member of the family to 
speak in remembrance of the deceased.
	The Reception of the Body in the Church signifies the transition from 
the expression of the personal grief of the family in the home to the public 
expression of the local parish community in the liturgy.  It is also the first 
step of returning to God the person that has been loved. This service of reception 
often takes place on the eve of the Funeral Mass, thus providing the possibility 
for mourners to be present with the family at this time who will be unable to 
be with them at the Funeral Mass. 

In baptism they died with Christ
	The prayers and symbols used at this reception recall the dignity of 
each Christian given to them by their baptism. The coffin is sprinkled with 
Holy Water as a remembrance that in the waters of baptism Christians receive 
the pledge of eternal life. The coffin is covered with a funeral pall to recall 
that on the day of their baptism a Christian is wrapped in a white robe as a 
child of God. The coffin is placed before the Paschal candle, symbolising Christ’s 
undying presence, and his victory over death by his resurrection. Other Christian 
symbols such as a Cross or the Book of the Gospels may also be placed on the 
coffin at this time.  These symbols are clear signs of the dignity of the 
baptised Christian. The family may also wish to carry with them other emblems, 
which reflect the deceased’s interests or personality. These should be treated 
with respect on the understanding that they do not conflict with the Christian 
symbols that are used in the ceremony. A place should be provided for them either 
near the coffin or the family, but they should nor displace the Christian symbols 
representing the baptismal calling of the deceased. In many parishes in Ireland 
the use of the pall has become the norm and this should be respected. Reasons of 
social distinction do not justify its omission. 

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord
	The Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased. 
The prayers of this Mass commend the deceased to the mercy of God and offer 
consolation and hope to the bereaved. As the Mass is the central act of the 
Church’s liturgy it is an act of worship of God by the Church, therefore the 
text of the Roman Missal should be used.

The Word of the Lord
	A variety of suitable readings are offered from both the Old and New 
Testaments for the Funeral Mass.  It is essential that these readings should 
be read clearly and with sensitivity. A member of the family or family friend 
may undertake these readings, however pressure should not be placed on anyone 
to read, particularly if they are not regular readers at Mass. If required, a 
parish reader should be available to undertake this ministry. The readings are 
taken from the sacred scriptures and may not be replaced by secular readings. 
Reflections taken from Christian literature may be used if required at a later 
stage in the Funeral Mass. However, some poems are better kept to the less formal 
stages of the funeral rites, either in the home or at the graveside.
	The homily is given by the priest and should be prepared in consultation 
with the family of the deceased. The homily is based on the scriptures and the 
life of the departed in that he or she tried to live out the virtues of being a 
Christian. The homilist by his words is also especially called to seek to bring 
comfort and consolation to those bereaved. It is not to be a eulogy, which as a 
form of an address focuses on the deceased and the achievements of the deceased. 
	The prayer of the faithful (general intercessions) call upon God to bring 
comfort to those who mourn and to show mercy to the deceased. Members of the family 
or friends of the deceased may also wish to participate in these prayers. If the 
families compose them, clear guidelines on format should be given.

Lord, receive the gifts we offer to win peace and rest….
	The gifts to be presented for the Eucharist are traditionally the bread 
and wine. It is recommended that members of the family of the deceased bring these 
to the altar. It is not appropriate at this stage of the Mass to bring up symbols 
of the deceased’s past life. To do so is a confusion of the presentation of the 
bread and wine, which become the Eucharist for us. Furthermore “gifts” are “given,” 
not merely a “symbol” or gesture which are taken back at the end of the Mass. If 
it is desired that suitable symbols associated with the interests or work of the 
deceased be part of the funeral rites then they should be carried into the church 
with the reception of remains.

The life and death of each of us has an influence on others
	There are occasions when a member of the family may choose to speak to the
mourners. When and how this is done can vary according to local custom, and the 
local practice of a diocese or parish should be respected. The funeral rites offer 
a variety of stages from home to church to graveside. Some personal sentiments are 
more appropriately spoken in the intimacy of the family home or funeral home. Other 
words in the form of an oration would be better suited to the traditional location 
of the graveside. The reception of the remains also provides an opportunity for a 
member of the family to offer a few words of remembrance of the deceased and 
acknowledgement to those who have supported the grief of the family. It should be 
borne in mind that the Funeral Mass is primarily an act of praise of God; it would 
therefore go against the spirit of the liturgy if it is perceived that a person’s 
social status can directly influence the celebration of the liturgy. Nor would it 
be appropriate to use the opportunity to insert into the celebration of the liturgy 
contradictory sentiments that reflect a merely secular approach to the mystery of 
death. If it is the local custom that a member of the family generally does speak 
during the funeral rites in the church then certain conventions should be respected.  
Only one family member should speak. It should be undertaken with the agreement of 
the celebrant and the prepared text should be discussed with the celebrant at a 
suitable time before the morning of the funeral. A separate microphone should be 
used, rather than the ambo, which is reserved for the Word of God. The Funeral 
Mass in the church is neither the appropriate occasion nor place to insert a 
speech or eulogy. If there is a lack of clarity as to what is admissible, each 
diocese will have guidelines, which will attempt to offer a balance, which will 
respect the reverence due to the celebration of the Eucharist, and also be sensitive 
to the feelings of those who mourn.

Sing with all the saints in glory
	Music offers the community a way of expressing convictions and feelings 
that words alone may fail to convey. Music has the capacity to uplift those who 
are mourning and strengthens the assembly in faith and love and create a spirit 
of hope. Music chosen for the funeral Mass should primarily be in praise and 
thanksgiving to God. Non-liturgical music should not normally be used during 
the Funeral Mass; if for a particular reason it is, then it should be chosen 
with great care and should not contradict religious sentiments. The use of 
taped music during the celebration of Mass is to be strongly discouraged as 
it is an intrusion into the celebration of a living worshipping community. As 
with other aspects of the funeral rites what may be considered fitting in the 
intimacy of a home may come across as banal in the context of the public liturgy 
of the Church.

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same 
for those who have died with Jesus
	The very centre of the Christian funeral rites is the death and resurrection 
of Christ. These rites are a faith expression and experience. Death is seen in that 
faith perspective. When people ask for a Funeral Mass to be celebrated they are 
expressing that faith message. In the funeral rites of a Christian we pray that 
the divine life given to us in baptism may be brought to its fulfilment in eternal 
glory. In celebrating a funeral we strive to bring consolation and hope to the 
bereaved and pray that the dead may obtain God’s mercy and have eternal rest and 
peace.


11 November 2003