In 1989 the Roman Catholic Church revised and
published a new Order of Christian Funeral.
The opening Decree states: “By
means of the funeral rites it has been the practice of the Church, as a tender
mother, not simply to commend the dead to God but also to raise high the hope
of its children and to give witness to its own faith in the future resurrection
of the baptized with Christ.” This statement brings into focus the meaning
and purpose of the funeral rites.
You will notice that “rites” is plural, meaning
there is more than one rite. This article will help us understand and come to
appreciate the wisdom and insight offered in these distinct rites.
The
first rite is called the Vigil. It has three options: - Vigil for the deceased with reception at the church
- Gathering
in the presence of the body
- Transfer
of the body to the church or place of committal
This may come as a surprise to many Catholics
today, especially in parishes where the new Order of Christian Funerals was
never implemented.
Vigil
for the deceased with reception at the church is best used when the viewing is held
in the church. It would occur at the
very beginning, after the body has been brought into the church.
Gathering
in the presence of the body is best used when the viewing is held at the funeral
home. This rite can be used at any time
during the viewing but the best time is to begin the viewing.
Transfer
of the body to the church or place of committal would normally happen
at the end of the viewing when the funeral liturgy or committal will follow
immediately.
The
second rite is the Funeral Liturgy. It may be celebrated within Mass or outside of
“The
funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian
community for the deceased. …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.” (128-9)
The
third rite is 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. It may be celebrated at the grave, tomb, or
crematorium and may be used for burial at sea.
Whenever possible, the rite of committal is to be celebrated at the site
of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment, rather than
at a cemetery chapel.” (204)
A new addition to the Order of Christian
Funeral is a series of
prayers for: children,
adults, children who died before baptism.
This is the second article concerning the Order
of Christian Funerals. It will
focus on music, symbols, homily or eulogy? and the
work of the Bereavement Committee.
“Music is integral to the funeral
rites. It allows the community to
express convictions and feelings that words 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 & 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. (30)
Since
music can evoke strong feelings, the music for the celebration of the funeral
rites should be chosen with great care.
The music at funerals should support, console, and uplift the
participants and should help create in them a spirit of hope in Christ’s
victory over death and in the Christian’s share in that victory.” (31)
F.Y.I. The parish has prepared a list of approved
hymns for funerals. If it is desired
that other types of non-liturgical music be used it is appropriate that these
be played at the viewing.
Symbols:
Holy
Water reminds the assembly of the saving
waters of baptism. (36)
Easter
candle reminds us of Christ’s undying
presence among them, of his victory over sin and death, & of their share in
the victory by virtue of their initiation.
(35)
Incense is used during the funeral rites as a sign of honor to
the body of the deceased, which through baptism became the temple of the Holy
Spirit. (37)
ONLY
Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral
liturgy. Any other symbols, for example,
national flags or flags or insignia of associations, have no place in the
funeral liturgy. (38)
Homily
or Eulogy ? “A brief homily based on the readings is always given
after the gospel reading at the funeral liturgy and may also be given after the
readings at the vigil service; but there is never to be a eulogy. …the homilist should dwell on God’s
compassionate love and on the paschal mystery of the Lord, as proclaimed in the
Scripture readings. (27)
Words of
remembrance: If a eulogy is desired it is best that it
occur at the time of the viewing or at the rite of committal. Normally the funeral liturgy is not the place
for words of remembrance.
Work of
the Bereavement Committee Our parish participates in the Corporal Work of
Mercy - “to bury the dead.” Members of
the committee can assist a family with tasks surrounding a funeral:
- assist with preparing the Mass of Christian
Burial or Memorial Mass
- provide food preparation
-provide house sitting
-provide home care for children, the elderly
and the handicapped.
- assist with reception, serving and cleaning
up
These services are provided by your fellow
parishioners at no additional cost.