Catholic funeral?

[Jenny15]

so…this is probably the wrong place to post it, so move it to whereever it needs to be if it is. but, i’m still trying to make a decision on whether or not i’m going to my aunt’s funeral on saturday. background on her death and my dealing with it in a post called “what now” in spirituality. but, i think maybe it would help me to know what a catholic funeral is like. i have no idea what to expect considering i’ve never been to any kind of funeral before. is it a Mass or just a service? if so, what kinds of readings are there and homilies? and, why do you think i should or shouldn’t go? i really need help on this one.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Dear Jenny,

I’m so sorry about the death of your aunt. I will keep her (and you) in my prayers.

A Catholic funeral may include some prayers at the funeral home, but the part at the church is a Mass, called the Mass of Christian Burial. If you attend Mass regularly, it should look familiar. There will probably be a few differences:

• Before Mass begins, the priest will meet the family at the entrance to church. The casket will be covered with a white cloth, called the pall, which is a reminder of the white garment your aunt received at her baptism and has spiritually worn throughout her life.
• The readings (First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel) will be chosen to remind us that there is hope of life everlasting.
• Incense may be used at one or two points during the Mass. The rising incense may remind you of your aunt’s soul rising to God, or of your prayers for her rising to Him.
• At the end of Mass, there will probably be a few extra prayers asking God to receive her soul, and asking the angels to accompany her to heaven. It’s really quite beautiful. You may hear the words, “Receive her soul, and present her to God the Most High.”

I think it would be a very good idea for you to attend. It will help you have a sense of closure. You will know that you have done all you can to help your aunt reach heaven. Burying the dead and praying for them is a work of mercy, a very important part of our duty as Christians. And it is the very best way you can show your love for your aunt. Our prayers assist our deceased loved ones in the process of purification (Purgatory) which most of us must undergo before we are ready to enter heaven, since most of us have soiled that baptismal garment by sin at some point in our lives, and nothing imperfect can enter heaven. The Mass is the most perfect and efficacious prayer to accomplish this. And you can be sure your aunt will return the favor and pray for you, throughout your life and at the time of your death.

She sounds like a wonderful person. How wonderful that God gave you to each other! And she is still with you in spirit. That is the Communion of Saints — we are all one family in Christ, those of us on earth, those in Purgatory, and those in Heaven — and we all share spiritual goods by our prayers and good works.

May God give you His peace and console you in this time of loss.

 

[THurifer2]

Sorry for your loss,

In a Nushell a Catholic Funeral has very little difference than a regular mass.

A few differences are,

1. like baptism the casket is met at the door of the church and blessed with holy water, then a pall is placed on it, (most often I white sheet,similar to a flag) .
2. there is a procession where the casket is “wheeled” to the foot of the altar.
3. then a regular plain old mass.
4. Sometime during the mass usually right before the final blessing the casket is incenced.
5. final procession much like regular mass.
6. Then the casket is taken to the cemetary where a brief comittal ceremony ( like no more than 5 minutes long) takes place…then everyone departs. (usually back to the church hall for dinner)

 

[Jenny15]

thanks for the answers. i’ll keep them in mind and hopefully knowing what i’m getting into will help me decide to actually go. because everybody is telling me that i really should.

 

[dranzal]

Dear Jenny,

I’m so sorry about the death of your aunt. I will keep her (and you) in my prayers.

A Catholic funeral may include some prayers at the funeral home, but the part at the church is a Mass, called the Mass of Christian Burial. If you attend Mass regularly, it should look familiar. There will probably be a few differences:

• Before Mass begins, the priest will meet the family at the entrance to church. The casket will be covered with a white cloth, called the pall, which is a reminder of the white garment your aunt received at her baptism and has spiritually worn throughout her life.
• The readings (First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel) will be chosen to remind us that there is hope of life everlasting.
• Incense may be used at one or two points during the Mass. The rising incense may remind you of your aunt’s soul rising to God, or of your prayers for her rising to Him.
• At the end of Mass, there will probably be a few extra prayers asking God to receive her soul, and asking the angels to accompany her to heaven. It’s really quite beautiful. You may hear the words, “Receive her soul, and present her to God the Most High.”
  I think it would be a very good idea for you to attend. It will help you have a sense of closure. You will know that you have done all you can to help your aunt reach heaven. Burying the dead and praying for them is a work of mercy, a very important part of our duty as Christians. And it is the very best way you can show your love for your aunt. Our prayers assist our deceased loved ones in the process of purification (Purgatory) which most of us must undergo before we are ready to enter heaven, since most of us have soiled that baptismal garment by sin at some point in our lives, and nothing imperfect can enter heaven. The Mass is the most perfect and efficacious prayer to accomplish this. And you can be sure your aunt will return the favor and pray for you, throughout your life and at the time of your death.

She sounds like a wonderful person. How wonderful that God gave you to each other! And she is still with you in spirit. That is the Communion of Saints — we are all one family in Christ, those of us on earth, those in Purgatory, and those in Heaven — and we all share spiritual goods by our prayers and good works.

May God give you His peace and console you in this time of loss.

Please go if you are able, for the reasons above and one other. Her friends and family need to support each other. My brother was “late” arriving in south FL for my son’s funeral. He is muslim and I think he wanted to avoid having to attend. It really bothered my sister. These are things that people don’t need to be thinking about when grieving.