When attending a Catholic funeral, non-Catholics should use the same etiquette as they would for each funeral. Be respectful and aware that during Mass the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (communion) will take place. As a non-Catholic, you will not participate in communion. During the service, you can follow, participate in the singing of hymns and stand or kneel when others do. As you might expect, Catholic funerals are traditionally held in a Catholic church, although they can also be held in a funeral home. The service is usually led by a Catholic priest who will preach a sermon that will likely include excerpts from the time of the deceased on earth. It may be best to send flowers to the funeral home, as the church only allows a “moderate” number of flowers. Flowers are forbidden in the church at certain times of the year, such as Lent. In the past, the time of awakening and visitation took place over a period of two days before the official funeral and funeral. More recently, however, these services take place either the night before or in the morning. A funeral mass is held in a church, so a dark suit for men or a dark dress or pants for women is appropriate.
Clothing should cover the shoulders and knees. Read More If you`re going to a Catholic funeral for the first time, some might be concerned about what`s common when it comes to something unknown, let alone something unknown that surrounds the death of a friend or family member. Whatever happens, most of the information and advice here seems true. Catholic funerals are official occasions that commemorate the lives of the deceased and provide an opportunity for mourners to say goodbye to their loved ones. With the Catholic faith in an afterlife, these events celebrate the passage of the soul of the deceased and offer assistance to those left behind. After the death of a practicing Catholic, it is common for her family to hold a prayer vigil the day before the funeral. This is sometimes called waking up or receiving the body. The custody etiquette is somewhat similar to the Catholic visit etiquette. Although many of these vigils take place in a funeral home or even at the family home, it is also not uncommon for the prayer vigil to take place in the church. A priest or deacon usually presides, although a lay person may also preside; Activities are usually prayers, although many families also consider it appropriate to have honors and eulogies read at the vigil. Not all Catholic funerals follow this pattern, but they will contain elements for each of the three phases. You should expect to pay fees to the parish.
Some use the fee set by the Church of England, currently £182, as a guideline. Others ask for a victim. An organist or other musician usually incurs additional costs. These fees are usually included in the account created by the funeral director. It is common for practicing Catholics to hold a funeral mass that includes Holy Communion. In this way, they literally commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ. A Catholic Mass can be deeply moving because it contains music, prayers and hymns. According to catholic.org in a 2016 article on the new cremation guidelines, “burial is still preferred, but cremation is an option. If a loved one has been cremated, their ashes must be kept intact, just as one would treat a body. Ashes should not be separated or scattered.
Instead, they should remain in a suitable container buried in a suitable location such as a cemetery or church. Only the bishop may, in exceptional circumstances, authorize a derogation from this obligation of detention. When organizing a funeral mass, family and friends bring bread or wine to the altar for Eucharistic prayer. Holy Communion follows their offerings. After communion, a family member or very close friend speaks in memory of the deceased. The final stage of a Catholic funeral is the rite of inspection. It often takes place in the cemetery, but can also be part of the funeral service at the. Usually, Catholic funerals are held in a Catholic church or chapel in a Catholic cemetery or assisted living care facility. Once again, a Catholic priest will preside over the services, although a deacon may also assume this responsibility.
A sermon will be given that will help commemorate the deceased with stories about their lives. A Catholic funeral service without mass usually lasts 40 minutes. A funeral with Mass often exceeds one hour. Some of the most famous funerals of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as that of Pope John Paul II, were Catholic services. During the funeral liturgy, the Church gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to praise and give thanks to God for Christ`s victory over sin and death, to entrust the deceased to God`s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery. .
