Funeral

Catholic Funeral: How to Honour Your Loved One with Faith and Hope

It is a time of prayer, comfort and hope, as we commend our loved one to God’s mercy and celebrate his or her life and faith.

What is a Catholic Funeral?

A Catholic funeral is a sacramental service that consists of three parts: the vigil, the funeral liturgy and the committal.

  • The vigil is a time of prayer and support before the funeral. It usually takes place at the funeral home or at the church. It may include readings from the Scripture, psalms, hymns and prayers. It may also include a rosary, which is a sequence of prayers that honour Mary, the mother of Jesus.

  • The funeral liturgy is the main ceremony that honours the life and faith of the person who has died. It usually includes a Mass, which is the celebration of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. The Eucharist is the sacrament that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and unites us with him and with each other. The funeral liturgy may also include readings from the Scripture, a homily by the priest or deacon, prayers of intercession, eulogies and tributes by family or friends, and music.

  • The committal is the final farewell at the burial place. It may take place at a cemetery, a crematorium or another place chosen by the family. It includes prayers and blessings that entrust the deceased to God’s care and express our hope in the resurrection.

Why Do We Have a Catholic Funeral?

We have a Catholic funeral because we believe in God’s love and mercy for our loved one who has died. We also believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, as we profess in our creed.

A Catholic funeral helps us to:

  • Express our grief and sorrow for our loss

  • Celebrate our loved one’s life and achievements

  • Thank God for his or her gifts and talents

  • Pray for his or her eternal rest and happiness

  • Seek God’s comfort and strength for ourselves

  • Affirm our faith and hope in Christ’s victory over death

  • Support each other as a community of believers

How Do We Prepare for a Catholic Funeral?

To prepare for a funeral:

  • Contact our parish office as soon as possible after our loved one’s death. We need to provide some basic information and arrange a meeting with our parish priest. He will guide us through the preparation process and help us plan the funeral service according to our wishes and needs.