Must lectors at funerals be formally trained?

[Farley4334]

Time sensitive question: 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. I know in my diocese we do have all lectors (and EMHCs) trained for those ministries, but I’ve never heard of it applying to this type of situation. When I was married recently we weren’t asked if those chosen to do the readings were trained lectors. Is this just a pastoral preference? Anything in the GIRM or Code of Canon Law (etc) I can refer to? Thanks.

P.S. Potential readers would obviously be Catholics, just not formally trained lectors.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

The Order of Christian Funerals is rather vague on this matter:

Other Liturgical Ministers

15 In the celebration of the funeral rites laymen and laywomen may serve as readers, musicians, ushers, pallbearers, and, according to existing norms, as special ministers of the eucharist… Family members should be encouraged to take an active part in these ministries, but they should not be asked to assume any role that their grief or sense of loss may make too budernsome.

17 Whenever possivbe, ministers should involve the family in planning the funeral rites: ion the choice of texts and rites provided in the ritual, in the selection of music for the rites, and in the designation of liturgical ministers.

21 …The readings and prayers, psalms and songs should be proclaimed or sung with understanding, conviction, and reverence…

While it certainly possible for a Catholic layperson who is not a lector to proclaim the readings at a funeral it is not a right. The prudential judgment of the bishop or pastor could limit the role to only those who are lectors.