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Riley259
Guest
I heard somewhere that the laity (family member, friend,etc) cannot deliver a eulogy at a funeral mass. Can someone tell me why this is so?
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CARose
Guest
The Homily is reserved to either a Priest or Deacon. I have been to Funeral Masses where comments were made regarding the deceased after communion when those other than the ordained can address those in attendance.
CARose
CARose
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Brendan
Guest
The Mass is NOT the place for a eulogy.
The Church properly states that the eulogy is to be conducted at the wake service.
The Church properly states that the eulogy is to be conducted at the wake service.
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Aureole
Guest
I think it’s because the Church doesn’t want us to dwell on sorrowful memories of the individual. Rather, she wants us to celebrate their birth in the Lord.
I could be wrong, I don’t know a whole lot about this but this is my understanding.
I could be wrong, I don’t know a whole lot about this but this is my understanding.
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Kielbasi
Guest
Its more due to the idea that the decedent may well be burning in hell for all anyone in attendance knows, and its as inappropriate as heck to give them a type of canonization with a eulogy under the circumstances.
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geojack
Guest
Every funeral mass I have ever attended had a eulogy. They were all given right after the homily.
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Kielbasi
Guest
I believe you have, but its really not a very traditional practice and an old-school priest wouldn’t allow it.
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Lucania
Guest
I was at a Wake last night and a Funeral Mass today. The Eulogy was given at the Wake. This is how it is supposed to be but I have been to one or two where the Eulogy was given at the Funeral Mass. By the way, the Priest who presided is 27 years old, born and raised in Poland, just out of Seminary this year! Everyone loved him!
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mgy100
Guest
Eulogies aren’t even an option at wakes or the Liturgy in some of the sui juris churches in communion with Rome. The Priest might say a few words about the deceased during the homily, but he’s the only one that gets up and says anything about the deceased. The focus is on praying for the person’s soul, not cheering her/him for how many golf tournaments he/she won.
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Gwyn
Guest
It all depends on the parish and priest.
We have had 2 family deaths in the past year and half.
Two months ago my Grandmother died and before mass started the priest allowed time for the eulogy.
Last year when MIL died, the eulogy was done after communion.
Both of the above were different parishes.
In 2 other cases, in 2005, again different churches, the eulogy was done after communion. And in one case there was a second eulogy (different person spoke) at the cemetry before burial.
We have had 2 family deaths in the past year and half.
Two months ago my Grandmother died and before mass started the priest allowed time for the eulogy.
Last year when MIL died, the eulogy was done after communion.
Both of the above were different parishes.
In 2 other cases, in 2005, again different churches, the eulogy was done after communion. And in one case there was a second eulogy (different person spoke) at the cemetry before burial.
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Michael038
Guest
Actually I delivered a Eulogy at my Grandmothers funeral Mass with the permission of her Pastor. The way it was don was at the end of the Mass I was given 5 minutes to deliver the Eulogy. He told me afterwards that it was a very nice message.
It is stated in the GIRM:
However eulogies still happen.
If there are likely to be large numbers in attendance it is likely that they will only attend the funeral. If this is a public figure and/or large numbers of non-Catholics will be in attendance, a eulogy is a kind of witness to them. It is very difficult to tell a grieving family that they can’t honor their loved one in the manner they think most appropriate, particularly if the deceased person expressed such a desire while still alive. Rather than risk offending the family and driving them away from the Church, most parishes will allow eulogies and other liturgical irregularities.
- At the Funeral Mass there should, as a rule, be a short homily, but never a eulogy of any kind.
However eulogies still happen.
If there are likely to be large numbers in attendance it is likely that they will only attend the funeral. If this is a public figure and/or large numbers of non-Catholics will be in attendance, a eulogy is a kind of witness to them. It is very difficult to tell a grieving family that they can’t honor their loved one in the manner they think most appropriate, particularly if the deceased person expressed such a desire while still alive. Rather than risk offending the family and driving them away from the Church, most parishes will allow eulogies and other liturgical irregularities.
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Fidei_Defensor
Guest
Would the then-Cardinal Ratzinger’s homily at the funeral of Pope John Paul the Great’s funeral count as a eulogy? Did he violate the GIRM?
Fidei Defensor:
Well, if it’s a homily it’s not really a eulogy. A good question is what IS considered a eulogy? I think of it as something delivered by a friend or family member in addition to a homily. The eulogies I’ve heard have all been after communion so they could in no way be confused with the homily.
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Fidei_Defensor
Guest
A eulogy is not limited to close relatives or friends.
**
eu·lo·gy** ( P )
n. pl. **eu·lo·gies **
*] A laudatory speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died.
*] High praise or commendation. [dictionary.com]
Anyway, Cardinal Ratzinger’s explanation of the Gospel at the Funeral mass was a mix of both tribute and homily. Or rather, a tribute in the form of a homily.
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