Hello,
Can someone link me to some information on Catholic funeral practices before Vatican II. Not only the text for the Requiem Mass, but the Catholic customs also - i.e., black pall, black vestments, viewings, etc.
Take me through an traditional, orthodox, Catholic funeral from start to finish.
My mother had a Tridentine Funeral Mass, and since I hadn’t attended a Novus Ordo one in quite a few years, I can only tell you what I’ll try to recall during my Mom’s. It was simple, solemn and beautiful. Sadly, I’m still emotionally in shock over it, so memories are bad.
Priest was in beautiful ornate black and gold vestments, met the casket at the door, I think. I don’t remember seeing him bless the casket with holy water, which I believe is traditional. I’m sure he must have sometime during the Service - but since the date of her death, I’ve lost memory on some things. Sadly, no English hymn was permitted. Sometimes, I believe a choir may do so but in Latin. Mom’s Mass was silent. No viewings in the Church (as is the newer custom in some churches). Viewings only at funeral home. In Church, just closed casket, which might have been covered with something matching altar/priest’s vestments - I can’t recall. Candles on either side of the casket, I think, but not sure now.
Eulogies not permitted at the Mass (might be same with Novus Ordo). I gave the eulogy the night before in funeral parlor - following the priest’s recital of the Rosary, which is usual, be it Traditional or pre-Vatican II. The priest delivered a few short words, I think, after Gospel - but not personal remarks about Mom - I think more a general message about death, etc. We used special Requiem Mass booklets. I think the priest escorted the casket to the door - he must have since I recall seeing the altar boys there at the door with something in their hands - perhaps candles / Crucifix – (oh, how I wish I could detail better for you).
Our priest was kind enough to come to the cemetery - in another state. I had requested a gravesite service, which sadly did not take place due to problems at cemetery, so we were sent to a chapel to leave my mother there. Unbeknownst to me, the priest had brought all those ornate vestments with him, so I guess he would have worn them at gravesite. It would have been an impressive sight and something rarely seen nowadays. It’s the one thing I recall from that day. Instead, he wore them in the chapel to deliver a final service. It was short, in Latin, and I assume the same as what would have been said at gravesite. But he did go to the grave and bless the ground - Praise God - Perhaps the first priest to attend a funeral at the family grave since before I was born. I don’ t recall another priest at other family funerals.
God bless Father _____, and God bless my mother’s soul.
It was very solemn. Beautiful, religiously. And appropriate.
I’m so grateful for those Traditional priests we have.
