Actually, the norm is the Vigil service. I agree with Phemie. It’s so consoling. A Rosary may be prayed, and anyone can lead it. I believe the Vigil - with the Gospel - must be celebrated by someone in Holy Orders (priest or deacon).
I don’t think so, since even the funeral liturgy can be led by a non-ordained. I know they have vigils and funeral liturgies in communities led by lay people.
Actually, the norm is the Vigil service. I agree with Phemie. It’s so consoling. A Rosary may be prayed, and anyone can lead it. I believe the Vigil - with the Gospel - must be celebrated by someone in Holy Orders (priest or deacon).
The general instruction of the Order of Christian Funerals permits a qualified lay member of the Christian faithful to conduct the vigil, related rites or the rite of committal when there is no priest or deacon available (n. 14).
The rubrics for a lay person are different only in regard to the final blessing, with a cleric giving the blessing and signing the assembly (May God bless you language) and a lay person invoking God’s blessing (May God bless us language) and signing only him or her self (n. 81 in the rite).
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