Christian Funerals

“I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.” (2 Cor 5:8)

“By this final greeting “we sing for his departure from this life and separation from us, but also because there is a communion and a reunion. For even dead, we are not at all separated from one another, because we all run the same course and we will find one another again in the same place. We shall never be separated, for we live for Christ, and now we are united with Christ as we go toward him . . . we shall all be together in Christ.” St. Simeon of Thessalonica, De ordine sepulturae. 336: PG 155, 684.”
At St. John’s
What should I do to prepare for the Catholic funeral for a loved one?

Normally the funeral director will assist you in making arrangements with the church. A priest or deacon will meet with the family at the wake to help with details of the funeral.

Is it necessary to have a funeral Mass?

A Mass is the usual form of worship and the highest form of prayer for a Catholic. A funeral service is permitted under some circumstances but this should be done only after thoughtful discussion with a priest and family members, and not simply as a convenience.

Can a Catholic be cremated?

The Church recommends that the body be brought to the Church for the rites of burial. Provided that cremation is not done to show disrespect for the body, it is permitted. If cremation cannot be done after the funeral Mass, the ashes may be brought to the Church for a Mass of Christian burial.

My mother died and was buried in Florida, but most of our family and friends are here. Can we have a Mass for her at St. John’s?

There are different ways to have a Mass celebrated for a deceased loved one, outside of a funeral, that is, when a body or ashes are not present. One is a Memorial Mass for those who would want to have attended the funeral but could not. Another way to pray for the person is to ask for a Remembrance at Sunday Mass. Still another option is to request a daily Mass with intention to be offered by name for someone who has died.

Can a non-Catholic be buried at a Funeral Mass?

A baptized Christian may be buried with the Catholic rites of burial, provided that this is requested by the person making arrangements, usually a spouse or family member who is Catholic. It should also be clear that the person being buried would not have objected to a Catholic funeral. What a person expresses about their funeral should be given full consideration, along with the desires of their family and the procedures of their church or faith community.