funeral question

[jacfalle20]

I’m just really curious. If a converted Catholic passes away and their family is not Catholic, can that person be denied a Catholic funeral mass? And if so, would their soul be affected in any way?

 

[DavidFilmer]

A Catholic (who is not excommunicated) cannot be denied funeral Mass and Catholic burial (which are not the same thing, but usually go together). The family’s faith is irrelevant to the rights of a deceased Catholic. But, if the family does not consent to Catholic rites, the Church cannot “force the issue” (unless, I suppose, it is stipulated in the person’s will or some other legal instrument which really has nothing to do with the Church Herself). Hopefully, the family would honor the (presumed) wishes of the diseased and arrange for Catholic rites (this would not be a problem - priests deal with this on a regular basis).

But neither a funeral Mass nor Catholic burial affects the ultimate outcome of our salvation. If we die in a State of Grace, we go to heaven (with, perhaps, a layover in purgatory). If we die outside of a State of Grace, we are condemned.

Should the person be in purgatory (which most people feel is likely for most people who are not condemned), the Mass and prayers of Catholic burial can help that person expiate his/her (un-confessed venial) sins, thereby reducing the experience of purgatory. A Catholic whose family does not consent to Catholic rites deprives the deceased of this additional Grace.

 

[jacfalle20]

Just wondering if we were on the same page. I knew the church couldn’t deny the funeral mass. I was wondering if the surviving family would deny the Catholic rite. Thanks.

 

[Memaw]

Just wondering if we were on the same page. I knew the church couldn’t deny the funeral mass. I was wondering if the surviving family would deny the Catholic rite. Thanks.

Can a non-baptized adult be given a Catholic Funeral Mass just because the spouse is Catholic? The priest told the wife not to tell anyone he was never baptized. (although the close family all knew this.) This particular adult never went to church of any denomination. God Bless, Memaw

 

[1ke]

Can a non-baptized adult be given a Catholic Funeral Mass just because the spouse is Catholic? The priest told the wife not to tell anyone he was never baptized. (although the close family all knew this.) This particular adult never went to church of any denomination.

According to the Church, no. Hence the duplicity of the priest, who should have known better.

Can. 1183 §1. When it concerns funerals, catechumens must be counted among the Christian faithful.

§2. The local ordinary can permit children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism to be given ecclesiastical funerals.

§3. In the prudent judgment of the local ordinary, ecclesiastical funerals can be granted to baptized persons who are enrolled in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available.

 

[Gorgias]

Just wondering if we were on the same page. I knew the church couldn’t deny the funeral mass. I was wondering if the surviving family would deny the Catholic rite. Thanks.

The family members are the ones who are making the arrangements, right? So, even if their deceased loved one said, “I want a Catholic funeral Mass and burial,” they could decide “nope, not gonna do it; he wanted it, but I’m not going to honor his wishes.” It’s sad, but it happens more often than you’d think: elderly Catholic parents pass away, and their children – who have fallen away from the faith – don’t give them a Catholic funeral Mass. It just breaks your heart to see it, 'cause you just know that their parents would have wanted a Mass, but that’s not where their kids are at in their own faith journey, so they just don’t do it. :sad_yes:

So, yes: the ‘surviving family’ can decide not to have a Mass and Catholic burial, and the funeral director will go with what they tell him to do.

 

[z_0101]

Just wondering if we were on the same page. I knew the church couldn’t deny the funeral mass. I was wondering if the surviving family would deny the Catholic rite. Thanks.

We cannot speculate on what one family would do verses another…

 

[Memaw]

According to the Church, no. Hence the duplicity of the priest, who should have known better.

Can. 1183 §1. When it concerns funerals, catechumens must be counted among the Christian faithful.

§2. The local ordinary can permit children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism to be given ecclesiastical funerals.

§3. In the prudent judgment of the local ordinary, ecclesiastical funerals can be granted to baptized persons who are enrolled in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available.

Thank you. He did know better, otherwise he wouldn’t have told her not to tell anyone! God Bless, Memaw