Calling a Priest for Newly Deceased

[Patjoe]

My mother had emphysema and was anointed about two weeks before she died. When she did pass away, after having been very conscious during that time, my Dad called the hospital chaplain (who was not at the hospital at the time) to come and say the prayers for the dead and comfort the family. He said that it wasn’t necessary because Mother had already received the last rites.

Recently, I have been reflecting on this and it just seems as if it would not have been out of the ordinary for this priest, who was also a family friend, to come to the hospital or to contact another priest to do so. Mother was not attached to any sin, but we all can benefit from a blessing as we leave this world.

The priestly visit at the time of the last rites or anything connected with prayers for the dying/dead greatly eases the suffering of loved ones. Perhaps the shortage of priests has made it impractical or even impossible to take this into consideration; but, as you can tell, it leaves a lasting scar not easily erased.

Is there any rubric that would require a priest to make a visit in such a case?

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

If she was dying, a visit would be in order. If she had already died, there was nothing for the priest to do that the rest of you couldn’t also do - pray.

Condolences for your loss; I will pray for your mother and your family.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I agree with Cor ad Cor. The priest will come in a hurry if someone is in danger of death and hasn’t had the last rites. If the family is there, he might pray with them at that time. In the situation where the person then dies a couple days or weeks later (without committing any mortal sin), the person doesn’t need anything further from the priest. The priest would likely plan on comforting the family or doing any praying with them when they come in to plan the funeral and/or at some other point in the course of pre-funeral activities (like at the funeral home if there’s a viewing before the funeral takes place).

Given that this priest was also a family friend, I can see where it might seem like an unsupportive friend situation, even though he may have a standing rule that he only does the necessary sacraments because he likely gets a large number of calls to just do that, without having to be on call to do additional unnecessary blessings and prayers. If you still feel bad about it, maybe you could make an appointment to discuss with him further and he can explain it to you in person.

 

[Patjoe]

My point exactly – How do we know that she did not commit any mortal sin between the Last Rites and her death?