Prior to the Funeral
After the death of a practicing Catholic, it’s common for their family to hold a prayer vigil the night before the funeral. This is sometimes referred to as a wake or the reception of the body. Wake etiquette is somewhat similar to Catholic visitation etiquette.
What are the three stages of a Catholic funeral?
The Catholic Funeral
To its fullest, it could be said a Catholic funeral contains three stages: the Prayer Vigil, the funeral Mass, and the committal. Usually, a Catholic funeral is held in a Catholic church or a chapel at a Catholic cemetery or assisted living care facility.
What is the protocol for a Catholic funeral?
Typically, a Catholic funeral mass will have the following structure:
- Introduction and greeting by the priest.
- Procession of priest, casket, and congregation into the church.
- Songs and prayers.
- Bible readings.
- Holy Communion (Mass)
- More prayers.
- Casket is walked back down the aisle and out of the church.
What happens the day before a funeral?
A wake, also known as a viewing, visitation or gathering, typically occurs before the funeral takes place. An urn or a casket is typically present, and the casket may be opened or closed. At this time, people pay their respects and offer condolences to loved ones of the departed.
Do you have to cover your head at a Catholic funeral?
If attending a Catholic funeral, mourners are expected to dress smartly and wear dark colours. Clothing should be modest i.e. cover the shoulders and knees, and jewellery should be kept simple. Head coverings are not required.
What should a woman wear to a Catholic funeral?
Meanwhile, a black dress or suit for female mourners is also considered appropriate. Slightly more casual clothing is usually fine as well, as long as it’s modest and somber. Jeans, hoodies, sportswear, printed t-shirts, and athletic shoes are typically not a good idea.
Who gives the eulogy at a Catholic funeral?
Family members, friends, clergy, and/or funeral conductors often give eulogies. At very religious funerals it is common for only clergy to deliver eulogies.
How long is the Catholic mourning period?
Parents or children of the deceased are encouraged to spend six months in mourning, with the heavy mourning period lasting 30 days. Grandparents and siblings are to spend three months in mourning, with the heavy mourning time lasting 30 days. Other family members should spend thirty days in mourning.
What happens if a Catholic does not receive last rites?
Nothing physically happens to a person who dies without having the last rites administered to them. These are the final prayers and blessings a person receives that give spiritual comfort and a renewed faith that they will walk with Christ to meet their maker.
What is the most comforting thing to say at a funeral?
I’m Sorry for Your Loss.
This is one of the simplest things to say, which makes it perfect for almost any situation. It expresses your condolences in a graceful, understated way, and it is equally appropriate regardless of your relationship to the deceased and their family.
What should you not say at a funeral?
Seven Things You Should Never Say at Funerals
- “He/She Deserved to Die”
- “It Could be Worse”
- “It was Destiny”
- “Everything Happens for a Reason”
- “At Least…”
- “You’re Still Young”
- “It’s Better…”
Can Catholics be cremated?
Although traditional burial procedure which reflects respect for the body is still normal Catholic practice, cremation is allowed by the Catholic Church for justifiable reasons. Cremation would ordinarily take place after the Funeral Liturgy.
Do Catholic funerals have open casket?
The most common elements of a Roman Catholic funeral are: A vigil service with either the body or cremated remains present. If the body is present, the casket may be either open or closed. A funeral Mass or service with either the body or cremated remains present.
Can you wear jeans to a Catholic funeral?
The most common answer is that jeans aren’t considered appropriate funeral etiquette unless requested by the family. However, dark, unembellished jeans paired with a shirt, tie, and blazer for men or a blouse and a blazer for women can be appropriate for a casual service.
What happens at a Catholic funeral?
The priest will lead the funeral prayers, which will normally include a reading from the Old Testament, a psalm and a reading from one of the gospels. Sometimes members of family and friends are invited to read a prayer. The priest will also give a eulogy for the person who has died.
Do people speak at Catholic funerals?
Mass. Notice that, unlike non-Catholic funerals, there is no eulogy. This is usually the case with Catholic funerals. Friends and family who wish to say a few words about their loved one should plan to do so at the wake or at a reception after the funeral, if there is one.
Why dont Catholics do eulogies?
Catholic liturgical guidelines from Rome in fact dictate that there should be no eulogies — just talking about the deceased — at funeral Masses but have allowed words of remembrance that are “to be understood as a reflection on the life of the deceased in the light of faith.”
What happens at the hour of death Catholic?
Individual judgement, sometimes called particular judgement, happens at the moment of death when each individual will be judged on how they have lived their life. The soul will then go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory depending on whether their actions have been judged as being in accordance with God’s teachings or not.
Who usually gives the eulogy at a funeral?
There is no hard and fast rule as to who should give the eulogy speech at a funeral. It’s typically given by those who were particularly close, or had a special relationship with, the loved one who passed. It could be a best friend, a spouse, a child or grandchild, or even a co-worker.
Why do Catholics give money when someone dies?
Catholics believe that donations made to the church on behalf of the deceased can alter the afterlife experience of purgatory of the deceased.
How long do you wear mourning clothes?
Since the 1870s, mourning practices for some cultures, even those who have emigrated to the United States, are to wear black for at least two years, though lifelong black for widows remains in some parts of Europe.
What do Catholics call the last rights?
What Are Last Rites? The Last Rights, or Viaticum, specifically refers to 3 sacraments. These are confession, the anointing of the sick, and final Holy Communion. Each of these is a way to cleanse a person’s soul of sins in preparation for the afterlife.
What do priests say during last rites?
The priest offers the words, “The Body of Christ.” The dying person responds, “Amen.” After communion is administered, the priest proclaims, “May the Lord Jesus protect you and lead you to eternal life.” The rite concludes with prayer and a blessing.
Is it appropriate to wear pants to a funeral?
A pantsuit or dress pants and a jacket are now acceptable for funerals. You don’t have to buy a new outfit. Look in your closet and put pieces together to make an appropriate ensemble; A nice jacket can complete an outfit for a funeral.
What is the tea after a funeral called?
A wake, also known as a funeral reception, is an event where close friends and family of the deceased gather together to pay their respects to their loved one. Traditionally, a wake referred to the viewing held before the funeral, but nowadays it’s usually held after the funeral or memorial service.
What makes a good eulogy?
The best eulogies are respectful and solemn, but they also give mourners some comic relief. A bit of roasting is fine if it suits who the person was and the family has a sense of humor. Close your eulogy by directly addressing the person who died, something like “Joe, thank you for teaching me how to be a good father.”
What to do after the funeral is over?
After the Funeral Is Over: Your Checklist
- Hold a funeral reception or a wake after the funeral.
- Organise a special memorial service for your loved one.
- Hold on to your happy memories with these memorial ideas.
- Plan the memorial aftercare.
- Handle the deceased’s estate with care after the funeral.
How do you stop crying at a funeral?
Blink your eyes and tilt your head back if you feel tears starting. Blinking several times when you feel tears starting to form, as well as tilting your head backwards, will help prevent the tears from falling. Blinking and tilting your head helps redistribute the tears so that you won’t cry as easily.
Who walks behind the coffin at a funeral?
At a burial
If the grave is nearby, everyone will drive or walk from the chapel to the graveside behind the coffin and further words will be spoken before the coffin is lowered into the grave.
Are wakes a Catholic thing?
What is a Wake? Traditionally, the wake is a Catholic ceremony based in part on the Celtic traditions of Ireland. Those traditions dictated that family and close friends should stay awake through the night with the deceased in order to offer protection from evil spirits.
Can a non Catholic go to a Funeral Mass?
Anyone of any religion or belief system can attend a Catholic Funeral Mass, as long as their presence is welcome by the family and they’re of good repute.
Can Catholics use condoms?
The Catholic ban on the use of condoms, or any other device, for contraceptive purposes remains.
Can you be buried with a rosary?
Catholics may choose to be buried with their rosary beads. These may be placed in the hands of the deceased for an open-casket visitation. The rosary beads would need to be removed from the casket if the body is eventually cremated.
Who gives the eulogy at a Catholic funeral?
Family members, friends, clergy, and/or funeral conductors often give eulogies. At very religious funerals it is common for only clergy to deliver eulogies.
Do Catholics believe in embalming?
Embalming. Embalming is acceptable in the Catholic faith, and depending on the rules of the state and/or the funeral home that you’re working with, embalming before the Vigil may be necessary.
Can a husband and wife be buried in the same casket?
Yes — Depending upon the cemetery’s policy, you may be able to save a grave space by having the cremains buried on top of the casketed remains of your spouse, or utilize the space provided next to him/her. Many cemeteries allow for multiple cremated remains to be interred in a single grave space.
How do they put a body in a casket?
The body of your loved one will be undressed and placed on their backs on a table. Their private areas will be covered to protect their modesty. The body will then be washed and disinfected while the arms and legs are gently massaged to relieve rigor mortis.
How much do you give a priest for a funeral?
Some pastors will state outright the fee for them to conduct the funeral service, while others will ask for a donation to the church. When it comes to donations, this can either be a monetary donation, with $150-$200 often being the most common, or a gift.
What happens if a Catholic does not receive last rites?
Nothing physically happens to a person who dies without having the last rites administered to them. These are the final prayers and blessings a person receives that give spiritual comfort and a renewed faith that they will walk with Christ to meet their maker.
How much do you tip a Catholic priest for a funeral?
Funeral minister, clergy, or religious leader
Don’t feel pressured to pay more than you can afford. Anything from $50-$300+ is fair, and this money is usually given directly to the church or religious organization.
Are Catholic funerals always open casket?
It’s also common for there to be an open casket at Catholic funerals. While this is a personal decision for the family, the casket is usually left open for the viewing or wake. Some families might choose to have a closed casket if they’ve opted for cremation or if the deceased passed in a violent way.
How many days after death is a Catholic funeral?
Funerals usually take place within two to three days, possibly up to one week after the death. The first day after a death is usually reserved for the family to make arrangements for the funeral.
Are Catholics allowed to be cremated?
Is Cremation Allowed? Although traditional burial procedure which reflects respect for the body is still normal Catholic practice, cremation is allowed by the Catholic Church for justifiable reasons. Cremation would ordinarily take place after the Funeral Liturgy.
Is there a eulogy at a Catholic funeral mass?
Traditionally, a Catholic funeral mass will not include a eulogy. Generally speaking, a eulogy is intended to celebrate the life and character of the deceased. At a Catholic funeral service though, liturgical tradition dictates that the focus should be on the dead’s faith and values.