Funeral Planning
“In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his Death and Resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christ ‘achieved his task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension.’
At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and Sacrament of the Eucharist.”
- General Introduction to
the Order of Christian Funerals 1 & 4
Catholic Funeral Rites
The Rites of the Catholic Church for Funerals come from the Order of Christian Funerals. It is made of up of three principal movements:
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“The vigil for the deceased is the principal rite celebrated by the Christian community in the time following death and before the funeral liturgy…At the vigil the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence. It is the first occasion among the funeral rites for the solemn reading of the Word of God.” -Order of Christian Funerals
The Vigil is often accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary for the deceased. This is done during the viewing in the funeral home normally the day before the funeral. It can also be done in the family’s home if there is no viewing. It is the first moment of community prayer for the deceased and begins the cycle of prayer which accompanies the family through the burial rites.
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“At the funeral liturgy the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery. Through the Holy Spirit the community is joined together in faith as one Body in Christ to reaffirm in sign and symbol, word and gesture that each believer through Baptism shares in Christ’s Death and Resurrection and can look to the day when all the elect will be raised up and united in the kingdom of light and peace.” -Order of Christian Funerals
The funeral liturgy takes two forms: Holy Mass or a Liturgy of the Word. For Catholics, having a funeral Mass is a priority and preference - though there are some occasions where a funeral Mass is not possible. In those cases, the funeral liturgy outside of Mass can be celebrated either in the church or at the funeral home. If no funeral Mass is said, the family is encouraged to ensure that a Mass for the Dead is said for the deceased at another time.
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“The rite of committal, the conclusion of the funeral rites, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member…In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses the hope that, with all those who have gone before marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection.” -Order of Christian Funerals
The Rite of Committal is the last rite of burial - it is normally done immediately after the funeral liturgy, but can be done at a later time for various reasons. It is always done at the cemetery, as close to the final grave as possible.
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Funerals are normally scheduled in collaboration with the funeral home which has care of the remains of the departed. It is therefore best to wait until meeting with the funeral home, though the parish office is happy to confirm available options before the family meets with the funeral home. Normally, the funeral home and priest are in direct communication - so that the family does not have to worry about too many details.
All other aspects of the care for departed loved ones can be arranged by contacting the parish office (scheduling Masses to be offered for the Dead, for example).
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Yes. However, it is helpful to keep in mind two points:
“Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites…When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended that the cremation take place after the Funeral Liturgy.” - Order of Christian Funerals
Thus, while cremation is permitted so long as the action is not a denial of the hope of the Resurrection of the Body, the clear preference of the Church is that the body be present during the Funeral Rites.
If a body must be cremated before the Funeral Rites take place, it is still possible to have the remains present for the Rites. If it is cremated after, generally a later date is established for the Committal of the body to its place of rest.
Catholics should never under any circumstance keep the remains of a body unburied or spread the ashes of departed loved ones.
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Yes. The Order of Christian Funerals provides rites for the funeral of a child who died before Baptism.
In the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend, pastors are able to celebrate Funeral Masses for unbaptized children so long as it was the explicit intention of the parents to baptize their child.
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in keeping with the dignity of the human body and the corporal work of mercy of burying the dead, Catholics should never keep the remains of a loved one unburied for a prolonged time. If you have come into possession of the remains of a loved one, they should be buried as soon as possible. Contact the parish office to arrange a burial.
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By ancient custom Masses are offered for departed loved ones. Masses are arranged by contacting the parish office. The normal offering for a Mass to be offered in the province of Indiana is $10.
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Yes! Funerals can be preplanned both with a funeral home and with your parish. It is best to meet with the pastor to go over everything - resources are available below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Resources
Policies for Funeral Planning
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The policy of St. Jude Catholic Church is that no viewing takes place at the parish for funerals beyond one hour before a Funeral Liturgy begins. Families desiring to have viewing hours beyond the hour immediately proceeding the funeral should arrange that at the funeral home. If viewing hours are the night before, it is normal for the priest to do the Vigil Service at the funeral home at the conclusion of visiting hours.
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Readers for the 1st and 2nd reading, as well as the Petitions must be Baptized Catholics.
If the family of a departed loved one does not have members to meet that requirement, the parish will provide readers for the Funeral Liturgy.
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Funeral Luncheons are arranged by a group of parishioners for funerals of parishioners of the parish.
In order to have a funeral luncheon at St. Jude, the deceased must be buried with Catholic Funeral Rites (though that may include a Funeral Liturgy at a funeral home).
Arrangements are made through the parish office.