Funeral Planning
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Canon 1176 from the Code of Canon Law states, “Deceased members of the Christian faithful must be given ecclesiastical funerals according to the norm of law.”
So that there will be no confusion or misunderstanding, the following is presented so that funeral plans will be made in accord with the laws of the Church and the Directives (also known as RUBRICS) of the Funeral Rite.
*NOTE WELL: All that follows will be strictly adhered to and NO DEVIATION from the Laws of the Church or the Directives of the Funeral Liturgy will be permitted.
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Readings & Prayers of the Faithful
The readings and psalms will be proclaimed/sung verbatim and in toto (completely) from the approved translation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provided below. Readers will be practicing Catholics who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The First Reading will be chosen from amongst the following options:
*The Eastertide New Testament readings are used in place of Old Testament readings during the Easter Season. They may also be used for the Second Reading during other liturgical seasons.
The Psalm will be chosen from amongst the following options:
The Second Reading will be chosen from amongst the following options:
The Gospel will be chosen from amongst the following options:
For _____________________, who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that he/she may now be admitted to the company of the saints, we pray to the Lord…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For our brother/sister, who ate the Body of Christ, the Bread of Life, that he/she may be raised up on the last day, we pray to the Lord…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness, we pray to the Lord…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face, we pray to the Lord…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the family and friends of our brother/sister _________________, that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord who wept at the death of His friend Lazarus, we pray to the Lord…
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all of us assembled here to worship in faith and pray for the repose of the soul of ______________, that when our earthly lives end we may all be gathered together again in God’s Heavenly Kingdom, we pray to the Lord…
Lord, hear our prayer.
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Music
From the Directives of the Order of Christian Funerals #30: Music is integral to the Funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that word alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.”
From Directives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Thus, while Funeral music may express “convictions and feelings,” its subject must always be the paschal mystery and it must be related to the readings from Scripture.
From the Directives of the Order of Christian Funerals #31: Rather than adopting popular secular songs which are inappropriate to a liturgical setting, we should seek out good liturgical music on a paschal theme which can “support, console, and uplift participants and help to create in them a spirit of hope in Christ’s victory over death and in the Christian’s share in that victory.”
Hymn Selection: Four hymns may be chosen for the Funeral Mass–Entrance Hymn, Hymn for the Preparation of the Gifts/Altar, Communion Hymn, and Recessional Hymn. Hymns will be chosen from the parish hymnal WORSHIP and will be in accord with the Directives of the Order of Christian Funerals and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Recorded music will not be played during the funeral. Recorded music that is in accord with Catholic Faith and Morals may be played BEFORE the funeral. The parish priest will be the sole judge of the appropriateness of any such prelude music.
Instrumental accompaniment is subject to the availability of parish musicians. If a parish musician is not available, the parish priest will lead the assembly a cappella in simple, well known hymns (eg. How Great Thou Art, Lord of All Hopefulness, Amazing Grace, etc.).
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Speaking in Remembrance of the Deceased
From Directives of the Order of Christian Funerals #27: A brief homily on the readings is always given after the Gospel reading at the funeral liturgy and may also be given at the vigil service; but there is never to be given a eulogy.
From Directives of the Order of Christian Funerals #170: A member or friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins.
*A member of the family (singular) OR a friend (singular) may briefly speak in memory of his/her deceased loved one. The remembrance must be read from a written script and will be no longer than 4 minutes. The remembrance must be focused on the Catholic Faith of the deceased person. Course, crude, and inappropriate language is strictly forbidden. The person who “speaks in remembrance” is chosen beforehand by the deceased’s next-of-kin. There is absolutely no such thing as an “open invitation” to the congregation to speak during the funeral.
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Concerning Cremation
From Directives of the Order of Christian Funerals #417: The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. Whenever possible, appropriate means for recording with dignity the memory of the deceased should be adopted, such as a plaque or stone which records the name of the deceased.
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*NOTE WELL: All of the above will be strictly adhered to and NO DEVIATION from the Laws of the Church or the Directives of the Funeral Liturgy will be permitted.
*When the parish priest must celebrate TWO Saturday evening Masses, a Saturday funeral will NOT be celebrated as a Mass.
*We do not know the day or the hour of our own death. It is a spiritually beneficial thing to meditate upon our own death, to persevere in a state of grace, and, thereby, be ready to face our personal judgement at the moment of our death.
*All are encouraged to prayerfully meditate upon the readings and directives of the Funeral Liturgy. It is further encouraged that all plan their funerals (readings and hymns)–it will be an excellent spiritual exercise for you and will ease the burdens of your next-of-kin after your death. It is highly advised that formalized funeral plans be shared with family members and put on file with the parish office.
AD SEPTENTRIONES 