Can there be a funeral Mass without a body?

[Yulejule]

My Jewish daughter-in-law would not permit a funeral Mass for my son. She did reluctantly agree that we could pray the rosary and when a lifelong priest friend (former chancellor of diocese) came to lead the rosary, he also informed me he would say a funeral Mass for my son the day of his burial, without the body. My brother stated this was incorrect terminology for the priest to have made – that without a body, it would be a memorial Mass. I will not argue with him, but for my own personal knowledge what is correct?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Yes, there can be a funeral Mass without a body. Usually this is done with cremains, but if cremains are not available then some symbol of the person (e.g., photograph) is used.

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your son. If you wish, you may want to arrange for memorial Masses to be said for the repose of his soul, either at your parish or by a religious order. God bless.