Where To Hold A Catholic Funeral
Catholic funerals are held in Catholic churches, though they may also be held in the chapels of Catholic assisted living or care facilities or in the chapels at Catholic cemeteries.
Families who require assistance with venue arrangements can speak with our funeral directors, who will coordinate with the relevant church or facility on your behalf.
The Catholic Funeral Service
Priests lead the Funeral Mass, and may also lead the funeral liturgy (service). If a priest is not available, deacons may lead the funeral liturgy. If a deacon is not available, a layperson with knowledge of the liturgy and traditions may lead the service. However, only a priest or a deacon may delivery the homily (sermon), which will also serve to remember the deceased by incorporating examples from the deceased’s life.
Our team works closely with churches and clergy to ensure every Catholic funeral service is conducted respectfully according to Church traditions.
Specific Catholic Funeral Arrangements
Throughout the service, no matter who is leading, laypeople may participate as readers, musicians, pallbearers, ushers, and in other usual roles. The music played at the Funeral Mass should be appropriate church music; popular or non-religious music is not appropriate. However, the family of the person who died may coordinate with the priest to have special or especially meaningful hymns, psalms, or readings included in the Mass.
Families can also personalise selected readings, hymns, and prayers in consultation with the officiating priest where appropriate.
Interment
The Rite of Committal is the Catholic interment service, at which the body is finally buried or interred. The Rite of Committal may take place at a gravesite, mausoleum crypt or tomb, or columbarium (in the event that the body was cremated). Family and friends gather together with a priest or deacon to pray over the body one last time. In order to make the burial or interment site a sacred place for the deceased, the priest or deacon will bless the place before the body or remains are placed inside. After the site has been blessed, the body or remains will be committed to the earth. The priest or deacon will then recite more prayers, and then everyone will join in to say the Lord’s Prayer.
If cremation is preferred, our team can also assist with cremation arrangements and columbarium planning.
Mourning Period And Memorial Events
There is no prescribed mourning period or memorial events in Catholicism. Memorial Masses may still be organised by families to remember and pray for the deceased according to Catholic traditions.
