Funeral Toll question

[THurifer2]

Yesterday I served a Funeral Mass. It has been 30 years since I have served a funeral (and that church didn’t have a bell) At the last second my priest informed me that I needed to throw the Bell Toll switch during the Mass. He said he would hand Gesture me when It need to be done. I either missed the cue or the priest forgot. Unfortunately he didn’t tell me what part of the Mass this is to be done and I would have been watching during that part. Does anyone know what part of the Mass the Bell is tolled???

 

[baltobetsy]

In my experience, it’s been at the final commendation.

Betsy

 

[lak611]

I have never noticed bell tolling during an actual funeral Mass. All the churches I have been to toll the bells when the pallbearers are taking the body to the hearse and the congregation is leaving to go to the cemetery.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

I believe that the proper place is at the final commendation, when the priest incenses and sprinkles the coffin. Normally, the bell continues to toll (about once every 10 seconds, according to custom) until the hearse leaves. In some places, the number of tolls is that of the deceased’s age, and this is sometimes followed by a pealing (swinging) bell or bells. If your bell has a switch marked “toll” or you have (gulp) electronic bells, it will automatically strike every few seconds; otherwise you will have to either press the button for each toll or pull the tolling hammer rope.

 

[lak611]

I believe that the proper place is at the final commendation, when the priest incenses and sprinkles the coffin. Normally, the bell continues to toll (about once every 10 seconds, according to custom) until the hearse leaves. In some places, the number of tolls is that of the deceased’s age, and this is sometimes followed by a pealing (swinging) bell or bells.

Oh, ok, now that you explained it, that is what I’ve seen done. Although the bells have not started until after the priest is done and the pallbearers take the coffin to the hearse. I have noticed the bells continuing as everybody is getting into their cars for the procession to the cemetery.

 

[THurifer2]

well if that is the case my priest messed up and not me. SInce I was the Boatboy and was required to be down in front with the casket for incense during the final comendation and the Toll switch is in the sacristy (40 feet away) there is no way I could throw the switch. I wish he would have just not said anything to me…I found myself extremely concerned the whole mass. So concerned that I made a few miscues on the sacred vessels.

Any priests out there should be warned never give instructions on a liturgical matter as the procession is begining. It sorta freaked me out. Last minute instructions should be give 15-20 minutes before mass begins…not as the processional starts.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

If you’re serving at the Mass, the pastor should have asked a sacristan or some other person to flip the switch. You shouldn’t have to leave the altar to do it.