Flowers on altar during lent

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PatPotbury

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My mother has recently passed away and the funeral is Friday 16th March. I have been told we cannot put flowers on the alter for the funeral. Is this true or can we get an exemption for this occasion.
 
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The General Instruction states:
  1. During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts.
 
You can use some flowers on Laetare Sunday. (Pink vestments, too!)
 
My mum-in-law died a few weeks ago, and there were no flowers in church for the Mass. It did look a little bare, but those are the rules in Lent. We did have a lovely floral arrangement on the coffin, though.

I’m sorry that your mum has passed away, may her soul rest in peace.
 
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Flowers for a funeral Mass is quite different than flowers for a Lenten liturgy.
This is really harsh. We permit it, but ask people to keep in mind they should be simple and subdued.
Even the Ordo says there are times when flowers may be allowed, such as on Laetere Sunday.
One simple arrangement at the foot of the altar should be permitted. My priest permits it and our Bishop is fine with it.
 
Tulitas said:
Flowers for a funeral Mass is quite different than flowers for a Lenten liturgy.
This is really harsh.
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I like the way that Jeff Cavins puts it: “Winnie the Pooh theology: think… think… think!”

So… “in Lent, we are asked to repent and to keep in mind Christ’s Passion, and Death. At Easter, though, we rejoice in Christ’s resurrection. Right now, our thoughts are all on Christ’s promises of resurrection and eternal life, which we all hope Mum is experiencing right now! So… how about you donate to our ‘Easter flower fund’, and on Easter Sunday, a pot of lilies (dedicated expressly to your Mum) will be front and center on the altar, reminding us all that she has a share in Christ’s promise of resurrection and eternal life!”

Is that “harsh”? Nope. But, it does ask folks to actually think about what their actions are saying…
 
Ah but Christ wept when Lazarus died. He was not near as harsh as some people want to be when dealing with the bereaved. Mercy. It’s a thing. It doesn’t mean people are clueless about liturgy. Our priest allows a small bouquet. It harms no one, and it doesn’t harm the Lord in the least.
 
People don’t really mean ON the altar. although that is a term commonly used.
The laity sometimes confuse “on the altar” with “in the sanctuary”.
 
Right. That’s what I said. That’s what the link said. No flowers on the altar. What am I missing here??

"Roman Missal No. 305: “During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), solemnities and feasts are exceptions. Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on its mensa (the top of the altar).”
 
Tulitas said:
People don’t really mean ON the altar. although that is a term commonly used.
The laity sometimes confuse “on the altar” with “in the sanctuary”.
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Tell me about it. One day I had a new reader who was carrying up the Book of Gospels. She asked me where to place it. I said, “On the altar.” She said, “Really? You sure?” I said, “Yes, on the altar.”

I was looking at my hymnal during the entrance procession and when we were finished singing I looked up … no Book of Gospels on the altar. Yup, you guessed it, she’d put it on the floor, or in her words “on the altar” in front of “the table”.
 
blackforest said:
Right. That’s what I said. That’s what the link said. No flowers on the altar. What am I missing here??

"Roman Missal No. 305: “During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), solemnities and feasts are exceptions. Floral decorations should always be done with moderation and placed around the altar rather than on its mensa (the top of the altar).”
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You said flowers were allowed, just not on the altar. Flowers are not allowed at funerals during Lent.
 
Phemie said:
You said flowers were allowed, just not on the altar. Flowers are not allowed at funerals during Lent.
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This is a very poor pastoral approach to a very minor issue. The flowers could be placed in the church (but on the floor just outside the sanctuary) and then removed and sent with the family after the funeral. It would allow the family to have the consolation of their flowers and not violate the GIRM.
 
I was also told this year that this is a very North American norm. It is not seen in many European Catholic churches.
 
You mean European churches decorate with flowers during Lent with no regard for the GIRM and other documents that say not to do so?
 
As for what regard they give to the GIRM, I couldn’t say, as I didn’t ask for details. I know we were discussing the matter (I help care for the flowers in the church and had been “re-homing” quite a few just before Ash Wednesday) and a couple of our European priests mentioned that this was not a practice in Europe.

We also allow flowers for funerals.
 
Yes, this is true 😦 I’m sorry to hear about your mom. It’s a matter of the church being in mourning and doing penance ( correct me if I’m wrong).
 
It is true, but most pastors turn their heads on enforcing this for funerals.
 
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