Policy for Catholic Funerals

Diocese of Biloxi

“We who are baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were indeed buried with him through baptism unto his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have grown into union with Him through a death like His, we shall also be united with Him in the resurrection.” (Romans 6:3-5)

1.   Introduction:

The Catholic Funeral Rites, as found in the Order of Christian Funerals (1989), are celebrations that enable the Christian community to mourn as well as to hope by focusing on the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Catholics believe that at death "Life is changed, not ended."  Death is a passage to a new and fuller life, and ultimately to resurrection and eternal union with God. The Church emphasizes life in the funeral liturgy.  The resurrection is the theme and the readings, hymns, and prayers reflect the overall tone of expectant joy.  The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God's merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living.

2.   Parts of the Funeral Liturgy: a): The Vigil for the Deceased b): The Funeral Liturgy and c): the Rite of Committal

3.   Guidelines: Vigil for the Deceased

The Vigil is often the first time family, friends, neighbors and the parish community  gather to remember the deceased, to pray and to support one another.

      •    The celebration of the Vigil is the time for the Christian community to offer both prayer and consolation to the members of the bereaved family. The Church offers an official “Vigil for the Deceased.” It consists of the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, The Prayer of Intercession, and a Concluding Rite.

      •    The Vigil may be celebrated in the funeral home or in the church.

      •    If the visitation takes place in church, it could be held for up to two hours prior to the Funeral Mass.

      •    All-night vigils are not allowed in church. If a family wishes to have an all-night vigil, they should have it at a place other than the church, or church facilities.

      •    When no priest or deacon is available to lead the Vigil for the Deceased, it is permissible for a trained lay minister to preside.

      •    The Rosary, since it helps us to reflect upon the Paschal Mystery, may be prayed during the time of visitation, apart from the Vigil for the Deceased.

4.   Guidelines: The Funeral Liturgy

      •    Funeral Masses are not celebrated on Solemnities, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and on the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter Season.

      •    The celebration of Funeral Masses on other Sundays of the year is determined by the pastor of the parish.

      •    On days when Funeral Masses are not permitted, funeral rites on these days make use of a Liturgy of the Word, as found in the Order of Christian Funerals.

      •    The proper place for a Funeral Mass is in the parish church.

      •    Funeral Masses are not to be celebrated in a funeral home.

      •    The music selections for the Funeral Liturgy should be appropriate and conform to the liturgical directives. Popular non-religious songs are to be discouraged.

      •    Only a priest or deacon may preach the homily at the Funeral Liturgy.

5.   Guidelines for Eulogies

            •    A eulogy is a short tribute to the life of the deceased loved one, offered by a family member or close personal friend, who knew the deceased well. 

            •    The Order of Christian Funerals clearly states that a “brief homily should be given at the funeral liturgy, but never any kind of eulogy” may replace the homily (#141)

            •    If a eulogy is to be given at the Funeral Liturgy it must follow the prayer after Communion.  The family should indicate to the priest or deacon at the time of the funeral planning if they would like someone to deliver a eulogy.   

            •    The eulogy should be brief, not more than a few minutes.

6.   The Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass

In this liturgy the community gathers to hear the message of Easter hope proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word, and to commend the deceased to God. This Rite may be used for various reasons.

      A.  When the Funeral Mass is not permitted, namely on Solemnities, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and on the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter Season.

      B.  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.

      C.  When, for pastoral reasons, the pastor and the family judge that the Funeral Liturgy outside Mass is a more suitable form of celebration.

      •    Ordinarily, it is celebrated in the parish church but it may also be celebrated in the funeral home or a cemetery chapel.

      •    Approved readings from the Masses for the Dead should be chosen and used.

      •    The family may wish to schedule a Memorial Mass later for the deceased in the parish church.

7.   Cremation

While the Church recommends that the custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed, cremation is permitted. For centuries cremation was chosen as a sign of denying life after death. Because of this the Catholic Church prohibited cremation. Today, however, many people choose cremation for other reasons. Therefore, in 1963 the Vatican lifted the ban, allowing cremation provided the reasons for choosing it did not counter Christian belief.

On March 21, 1997, the Vatican granted permission for the cremated remains of a body to be brought to Church for the liturgical rites of burial. Still, the Church prefers to have the body present for the funeral rites and then have cremation afterwards.

For the Rite of Committal to be celebrated, the cremated remains are always buried or interred. They are not buried on private land but in consecrated ground in a cemetery or Mausoleum. In the case of military burials, the remains may be buried at sea. The Rite of Committal is reserved for the reverent interment of the remains in a specific and sacred place.  Visiting the deceased in a holy place provides believers with a space to offer prayers, commune with those who have gone before us in faith, and reminds us to await the resurrection of our own bodies. 

8.   Rite of Committal

The Rite of Committal is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member.

The Rite of Committal is celebrated at the grave, tomb or crematorium and may be used for burial at sea. The Rite 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. The committal must always be celebrated immediately following the funeral, unless a good pastoral reason dictates otherwise, such as travel to a distant cemetery. 

9.   Notices and Worship Aids

In the preparation for public notification of death and funeral services, as well as the publication of a “worship aid,” for the celebration of funeral rites, the appropriate wording should be as follows; “The Mass of Christian Burial,” and not “The Mass of Resurrection.”

10. Special Circumstances

Regarding “special circumstances” for funerals, please consult further with the pastor.

Approved By:

Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi

Bishop of Biloxi

August 15, 2004