Funeral Lector

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Farley4334

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Are there any rules about who can perform as a lector at a funeral Mass? A family member of mine was told that only diocesan trained lectors could do so. This is news to me. Anything in the GIRM or Code of Canon Law I can refer to?
 
Farley4334 said:
Are there any rules about who can perform as a lector at a funeral Mass? A family member of mine was told that only diocesan trained lectors could do so. This is news to me. Anything in the GIRM or Code of Canon Law I can refer to?
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IMHO at most funerals you’d be struggling to find a “diocesan trained lector”. While dioceses may set their own norms for who may be a reader, for “one-off” occasions like funerals it’s often simply a case of finding someone “suitable” and going with them. Sometimes there may be a religious in the parish who can fulfill this role if need be but usually the family is able to suggest someone from amongst themselves or friends of the deceased. Bear in mind that funerals are typically arranged at short notice (usually a few days; a week would be a lot of notice) and so ideals are often cast aside in the name of pragmatism. Of course that’s not to say that “anything goes” - there are, and should be limits but these should be applied both carefully and pastorally.
 
From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM): “101. In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture.”

Only men can become instituted lectors, not women. They become instituted lectors in a ceremony with a bishop. The Motu Proprio “Ministeria Quaedam” gives more information about instituted lectors.

So GIRM 101 is saying that if there is an instituted lector, he should read the readings apart from the Gospel at a Mass.

The GIRM also has:
“107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. [footnote: 89. Cf. Pontifical Commission for interpreting legal texts, response to dubium regarding can. 230 § 2: AAS 86 (1994), p. 541.] All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”

So, if it is a situation of someone doing the reading in the absence of an instituted lector, then the parish priest (the pastor) or church rector makes the choice of who does the reading.
 
While there is nothing forbidding asking a family member or friend (even a non-Catholic is allowed according to the Norms on Ecumenism) it is a wise parish which restricts this to diocesan or parish trained Lectors, whether instituted or not – though it’s not something I’ve ever experienced in any of the dioceses and parishes where I’ve lived.

I’ve sat through too many funerals where the chosen reader was a mourner who couldn’t keep it together long enough to get through the reading. Heck, I read the Prayers of the faithful myself at Dad’s funeral and that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done at Mass. That defeats the purpose – people concentrate on the sad reader and don’t pay any attention to what is being proclaimed.

It’s really important to remember that the minister is at the service of the Liturgy and not the Liturgy at the service of the minister.
 
What Phemie said.
In our parish, we seldom have a funeral where absolutely no trained lector from the parish is present, so it’s not an issue. We tend to have at least 100 non-family members at every funeral. So, the priest and the Deacons have plenty to choose from. Often, a Deacon will read anyway.
I have seen family members read. I read at my Father-in-law’s funeral in Ireland. Neighbors said that for once, they could hear clearly. Their local readers tend to rush and mumble. 🤷
 
pianistclare said:
What Phemie said.
In our parish, we seldom have a funeral where absolutely no trained lector from the parish is present, so it’s not an issue. We tend to have at least 100 non-family members at every funeral. So, the priest and the Deacons have plenty to choose from. Often, a Deacon will read anyway.
I have seen family members read. I read at my Father-in-law’s funeral in Ireland. Neighbors said that for once, they could hear clearly. Their local readers tend to rush and mumble. 🤷
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That, and they speak with a brogue… 😃
 
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