Does a funeral Mass fulfill this obligation?

[Online_Knight]

Unfortunately, we had a death in our family yesterday. I rejoice in knowing that he lived a fruitful long life in service to God and that he is now home. It looks as though the funeral Mass is going to be on Saturday morning, December 8. Would this Mass fulfill my obligation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception? I’m afraid the wake and funeral obligations will keep me from attending the Mass I had planned to attend.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Yes, if a funeral Mass is celebrated on December 8 – as distinguished from a funeral liturgy outside of Mass – it can fulfill the obligation to attend Mass on the Immaculate Conception. See the link below for more information. Since this is a holy day of obligation in the Latin rite of the Church, it is more likely that the funeral will not include a eucharistic liturgy (as indicated in the Order of Christian Funerals 178) and thus will not fulfill the obligation to attend Mass.

If a Mass is not celebrated on December 8, and if it would be a hardship to attend Mass that day due to family obligations, there may be just cause to miss Mass on the holy day. However, unless just cause also prohibits attending Mass that weekend, you will need to go to Mass either Saturday evening or on Sunday, December 9, to fulfill the obligation for the second Sunday of Advent.

Recommended reading:

Can I go to a Saturday vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception?