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THE FUNERAL MASS

A Funeral Mass is at once both a solemn and a joyful occasion -- solemn because of the loss shared by the family, friends and the community of the faithful when one of their own has died; joyful because, as Christians, we know that death lacks finality, that it is just a passing away into hope of the resurrection. The rites of the Church emphasize the hope and joy that awaits those who have departed, linking symbols of Baptism, our rebirth in Christ, to those of the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

INTRODUCTORY RITE

The Mass begins at the entrance of the church, where the priest greets the family and friends of the deceased, and sprinkles the casket with holy water. Often, the casket is draped in a white pall, a symbol of Baptism, recalling the white gown worn at the first Sacrament. It is through Baptism that the person who has departed was made one with Christ and was offered the promise of eternal life. The priest may address the congregation from the Church entrance receiving the casket:

Dear friends in Christ, in the name of Jesus and of his Church, we gather to pray for N., that God may bring him/her to everlasting peace and rest. We share the pain of loss, but the promise of eternal life gives us hope. Let us comfort one another with these words.

While sprinkling the casket

with holy water, the priest may say:

In the waters of baptism N. died with Christ and rose with him to new life. May he/she now share with him eternal glory.

The casket is brought forward into the church to the foot of the sanctuary. If a song is not sung, the priest may say aloud: "You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory." (Col. 3:3-4)

Next to the casket stands the Paschal Candle, a reminder of both our Baptism and of the Resurrection of our Lord at Easter. The candle represents Christ as both the Light of the World and as the conqueror of death and sin through His own death and Resurrection.

What differentiates a Funeral Mass from other Masses is the theme reflected in songs, readings and prayers. The Funeral Rite stresses readings and prayers focused on both the Resurrection of our Lord and the resurrection of the body that awaits each of us after death. Incense is often used. The altar, the gifts of bread and wine, the Paschal Candle and the body of the deceased are incensed. The family of the deceased should play an important role in the selection of the songs, readings and prayers. In fact, family members and close friends of the deceased are encouraged to play key roles in the Funeral Mass -- as readers, as carriers of the gifts to the altar, pall bearer and even as acolytes.

Opening Prayer

Depending on the time of year, the ritual offers various options for the opening prayer. The priest may use the following prayer:

Almighty God and Father it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the firstfruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery your servant N.,

who has gone to his/her rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection.

Liturgy of the Word

The options are vast and much depends on the circumstance of the deceased (age, marital status, vocation, etc.), family and the general pastoral situation. Your parish priest can help the family to choose by usually providing a list of readings. There are very good pastoral aids in booklet form that most rectories have at hand.

After the proclamation of the Word, the homily is given by the priest who will reflect again the themes of Baptism and Resurrection, taking note of the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus and their importance in understanding the death of the person about to be buried.

General Intercessions

Following the homily, the priest invites the people to pray for the entire Church. These may be the petitions used:

God, the almighty Father, raised Christ his Son from the dead; with confidence we ask him to save all his people, living and dead:

For N. 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. R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For our brother/sister who are the Body of Christ, the bread of life, that he/she may be raised up on the last day. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For 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. R. 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. R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For the family and friends of our brother/sister N., 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. R. Lord, hear our prayer.

For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God's kingdom. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.

God, our shelter and our strength, you listen in love to the cry of your people: hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters. Cleanse them of their sins and grant them the fullness of redemption.

The Mass continues with the Preparation of the Gifts and the Offertory.

In the preface of the Eucharistic Prayer (Christian Death I), the hope of rising in Christ is elicited:

"In him, who rose from the dead, our hope of resurrection dawned. The sadness of death gives way to the bright promise of immortality. Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven."

Following the prayer after communion, the priest goes to the casket and addresses the people:

Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother/sister. May our farewell express our affection for him/her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him/her again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself.

The casket is now to be sprinkled with holy water and incensed.

Saints of God, come to his/her aid! Hasten to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!

R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham. R.

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her. R.

The priest may then say the following:

To you, O Lord, we commend the soul of N. your servant; in the sight of this world he/she is now dead; in your sight may he/she live for ever. Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace.

When the Mass has ended, the casket, accompanied by the priest, is carried in solemn procession to the doors of the church, where the hearse awaits to carry it to the cemetery.

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