Unbaptized babies get Christian burial?

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Monicathree

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I was just wondering, although morbid it may be, if a baby is born stillborn or dies so soon without being baptized, can that baby receive a proper Catholic/Christian burial?? Thanks in advance.
 
My nephew died right after birth. The priest at the hospital can baptize the baby and usually do at a Catholic hospital ( I know they asked my sister when she was pregnant in the case of an emergency did she want her baby baptized). Patrick had a Catholic burial. He was baptized right after he died along with his brother who was in distress by a family friend who is a priest that came right up to the hospital.
I don’t thiink it is that morbid. These things do happen.
Kathy
 
The answer is that yes, they may have a Christian burial, but if they are unbaptized there is to be no funeral Mass, although there may be a memorial Mass. I did the graveside service for the stillborn granddaughter of one of my brother deacons.

Deacon Ed
 
So what would be the difference between a funeral mass and Christian burial…I am guessing the celebration of the Eucharist. Thanks
 
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Monicathree:
I was just wondering, although morbid it may be, if a baby is born stillborn or dies so soon without being baptized, can that baby receive a proper Catholic/Christian burial?? Thanks in advance.
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Technically no they do not. There is a burial Rite for children who die without Baptism. In the Sacramentary there is also texts to use if a Mass is said for them. They are different texts from those used for the Mass of Christian burial of a Baptized child. The unbaptized child however can now be buried in blessed ground at Catholic cemeteries.
 
I once attended a funeral for a child who died from SIDs and they hadn’t been batpised, yet they had a full Catholic mass with euthcraist and what not.
 
As odd as this sounds, can the dead be baptized? I seem to recall some verse from Scripture (I can’t remember it. :o ) that said “If there was no resurrection, why would we baptize the dead?”

I’ve heard of recently deceased infants being baptized, is this valid?
 
I think I will ask a priest friend of our family. Thanks!!
 
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RomanRiteTeen:
As odd as this sounds, can the dead be baptized? I seem to recall some verse from Scripture (I can’t remember it. :o ) that said “If there was no resurrection, why would we baptize the dead?”

I’ve heard of recently deceased infants being baptized, is this valid?
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Only the living can validly receive Baptism. However if it is uncertain as to if death has in fact occurred Baptism should take place immediately.
 
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