Catholic funeral is always heaven

[teachccd]

Why is it that at every Catholic funeral, whether there is a Mass or not, the priests always proclaim that the deceased is in heaven? We teach as dogma the existence of purgatory (and hell for that matter) but in the homilies we always hear that our beloved members are in heaven experiencing the joy of God’s presence. It leaves us with the feeling that our deceased family and friends do not need further prayer for the repose of their souls. Does anyone else experience this? I just attended a funeral on thursday and Father has my friend already “playing” with Jesus… teachccd

 

[BennyBoy89]

Because the presbyterate is filled with a bunch of wishy-washy, Father Feelgoods, and too many American Catholics are ignorant of their faith.

We have the hope of Heaven, not a guaranteed free pass.

 

[AMDGtoo]

Just a thought–all those in purgatory are headed for heaven–they just stopped off for a time (we don’t really know how long) to get "freshened up, so this is just a way to acknowledge that?

Yes I know, I sure wish the doctrine of purgatory was preached more. (I would sure feel it more of a comfort knowing that there is an opportunity to “freshen up for God” rather than the instant personal canonizations that we get nowadays, afterall Revelations 21:27 indicates that “nothing unclean will enter heaven”.)

 

[LilyM]

Remember Jesus said to the parents of the dead child ‘she is not dead, she is only sleeping’ - when it was plain as day that she was NOT just sleeping? Sounds like a case where charity called for a stretching of the truth.

A funeral is a time for being charitable and comforting grieving families, and not for preaching Church doctrine on purgatory etc. Although proclaiming them to be in heaven is almost certainly going too far.

Perhaps Father was there at your friend’s deathbed and can feel confident based on what took place there? Was the funeral for a young child, since the priest talked of playing?

Now bear in mind that we ARE reminded at each and every Mass, loud and clear, of the need to pray for the souls of the departed, whose fate is not certain. So I don’t think there’s any risk of people neglecting to do so simply because of what may, out of a mistaken sense of charity, have been said on the one occasion of their funeral.

 

[Tonks40]

I agree that charity is warranted in situations such as funerals, but I would stop short of a declaration of a deceased’s status in Heaven. The more charitable thing to do is to pray on behalf of the deceased - and leave it at that.

 

[Thunderbird]

Heh. That reminds me of a funeral I attended a year or so back…long before I became Catholic. It was a Baptist Funeral for my uncle. To be kind, I’ll say that his sense of ethics and virtues were lacking. No sense of morals to speak of. He wasn’t the worst of the worst, but I’m sorry to say that he came close…but I remember distinctly the preacher saying that my uncle was in heaven.

It was funny and extremely sad at the same time. I imagine the preacher didn’t really gather much intel on the deceased before going through with the service…so I wonder if more often than not the case is the same with others?

 

[Newbie2]

Heh. That reminds me of a funeral I attended a year or so back…long before I became Catholic. It was a Baptist Funeral for my uncle. To be kind, I’ll say that his sense of ethics and virtues were lacking. No sense of morals to speak of. He wasn’t the worst of the worst, but I’m sorry to say that he came close…but I remember distinctly the preacher saying that my uncle was in heaven.

It was funny and extremely sad at the same time. I imagine the preacher didn’t really gather much intel on the deceased before going through with the service…so I wonder if more often than not the case is the same with others?

I went to a distant relative’s funeral, very small, protestant. It was quite obvious that the pastor didn’t know the deceased, maybe only by name, and was struggling with what he could say about him. Very uncomfortable situation for him, no doubt, and a minor source of mirth for those of us in attendance.

Anyway, to the OP, I’ve not experienced that in any Catholic funeral I’ve been to. …but agree that it’s not exactly in line with our theology and doctrine.

Priests may have to walk a fine line between not preaching to the distraught family “Well, we certainly hope he makes it” and instead expressing confidence and hope in our Lord’s promises. Some are better at it than others, I guess.

 

[AMDGtoo]

I think that’s why eulogies are usually frowned upon at Catholic funerals (though not so much nowadays). IMO it shouldbe all about Christ and His promises and not so much about the human efforts (and successes) of the deceased.

 

[cecilia97]

Why is it that at every Catholic funeral, whether there is a Mass or not, the priests always proclaim that the deceased is in heaven? We teach as dogma the existence of purgatory (and hell for that matter) but in the homilies we always hear that our beloved members are in heaven experiencing the joy of God’s presence. It leaves us with the feeling that our deceased family and friends do not need further prayer for the repose of their souls. Does anyone else experience this? I just attended a funeral on thursday and Father has my friend already “playing” with Jesus… teachccd

I hear a lot of funerals while I’m sitting in the chapel behind the sanctuary and I’m proud to say our pastor says things like “we can have great HOPE that X is with his Creator”. He’ll also say that all the deceased need our prayers.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Why is it that at every Catholic funeral, whether there is a Mass or not, the priests always proclaim that the deceased is in heaven? We teach as dogma the existence of purgatory (and hell for that matter) but in the homilies we always hear that our beloved members are in heaven experiencing the joy of God’s presence. It leaves us with the feeling that our deceased family and friends do not need further prayer for the repose of their souls. Does anyone else experience this? I just attended a funeral on thursday and Father has my friend already “playing” with Jesus… teachccd

You are correct. A priest or deacon celebrating a Catholic funeral should never declare a person absolutely in heaven without the canonization document from Rome in their hands.

 

[teachccd]

A funeral is a time for being charitable and comforting grieving families, and not for preaching Church doctrine on purgatory etc. Although proclaiming them to be in heaven is almost certainly going too far.

Perhaps Father was there at your friend’s deathbed and can feel confident based on what took place there? Was the funeral for a young child, since the priest talked of playing?

Yes, the priest knew my friend VERY well. It is funny that you should ask if he was a child. No, he was 49 years old with the heart of a child. He stood 6’5" and was quite large in stature but he was as gentle as a little puppy dog. I would, as my pastor, like to think that Steve is in heaven but we as Catholics know that this may not be the immediate case. I don’t mean for this to be a big deal but just something that should be brought to light…Thank all of you for your responses and I will check for more…God Bless…teachccd

 

[teachccd]

You are correct. A priest or deacon celebrating a Catholic funeral should never declare a person absolutely in heaven without the canonization document from Rome in their hands.

Like some of the others here, I see the fine line that the priest or deacon has with the emotions of family and friends. But purgatory, unlike the theological opinion on limbo, is a dogmatic teaching of our faith. So IMO I think that a priest should emphasize the word “hope” that we learn in our faith. My friend, Steve, taught religious education and he knew very well about purgatory. A funeral is not a place to teach Catholic doctrine but it is also not a place to undermine it either. The priest just needs to speak like a Catholic whether or not everyone there agrees.

Steve, may you rest in peace wherever you are (purgatory or heaven as I pray that you are there) and I would hope for one prayer from each person here for you…God Bless…teachccd

 

[jay29]

Because the presbyterate is filled with a bunch of wishy-washy, Father Feelgoods, and too many American Catholics are ignorant of their faith.

We have the hope of Heaven, not a guaranteed free pass.

AMEN! Everytime I hear someone is in heaven, at every funeral I attend, I want to scream out… ARE YOU GOD?

 

[Newbie2]

I think that’s why eulogies are usually frowned upon at Catholic funerals (though not so much nowadays). IMO it shouldbe all about Christ and His promises and not so much about the human efforts (and successes) of the deceased.

True…and that’s one thing I noticed about the Catholic funerals that I’ve seen. It took a while to get used to, but now I see eulogies at funerals as somewhat inappropriate…eulogies can be done at the funeral home.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I have never been to a Catholic funeral where the priest declared the deceased was in Heaven. They say “at rest” but no defined place. They also say “We hope for peace” and all the prayers are geared toward peace, but nobody has ever been pronounced in Heaven.

Maybe the priests in question just know my extended family and friends too welll to even suggest it.

 

[yellowbird]

I’ve not heard it either - and I’ve been to 5 Catholic funerals in the past year.

I’ve only heard of the hope of heaven and trusting God in His mercy.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Why is it that at every Catholic funeral, whether there is a Mass or not, the priests always proclaim that the deceased is in heaven? We teach as dogma the existence of purgatory (and hell for that matter) but in the homilies we always hear that our beloved members are in heaven experiencing the joy of God’s presence. It leaves us with the feeling that our deceased family and friends do not need further prayer for the repose of their souls. Does anyone else experience this? I just attended a funeral on thursday and Father has my friend already “playing” with Jesus… teachccd

Not in our parish. The standard is that we have the HOPE of the deceased to be in Heaven.

Also I pray that when it is my time that the priest reminds everyone we can not be assured of a place in heaven and that we have the HOPE of heaven.

 

[MarieVeronica]

I would hope for one prayer from each person here for you

Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, for Steve. God bless him. And God bless you, “teachccd”. Steve has a good friend in you.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

I was to a funeral recently and our priest indicated that the woman was in heaven. It was actually the first time in a long time I had heard that at a funeral (I may have heard it before, but I can’t remember). It didn’t register with me until now that he said that, but he did.

We pray for the departed soul. My guess is that father was walking a “fine line” as others have suggested. I pray for her soul that she will be fully united with Jesus in Heaven. There wasn’t enough emphasis on praying for her soul in my humble opinion.

Keep in mind also that Catholic funerals are celebrations during a time of mourning. Sure we don’t know the ultimate fate of the departed soul, but the fact she was given a Catholic funeral mass does matter and is something to be cherished.

There was also ulogies given at the funeral mass. I have no problem with that at all.

 

[teachccd]

Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, for Steve. God bless him. And God bless you, “teachccd”. Steve has a good friend in you.

Thank you so much for your prayers. May God continue to bless you for your kind words…teachccd