Funerals

When one of its members dies, the Church encourages the celebration of the Mass.  In the proclamation of the Scriptures, the saving word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit becomes living and active in the minds and hearts of the community. Having been strengthened at the table of God’s word, the community calls to mind God’s saving deeds and offers the Father in the Spirit the Eucharistic sacrifice of Christ’s Passover from death to life, a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, of reconciliation and atonement. Communion nourishes the community and expresses its unity.  In communion, the participants have a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits them and are reminded of Christ’s own words: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live forever.” (John 6:55)  Confident in  Jesus’ presence among them in the living word, the living sacrifice, the living meal, those present in union with the whole church offer prayers and petitions for the deceased, whom they entrust to God’s merciful love. – Order of Christian Funerals, #154

Catholic funerals are normally associated with two rites. One is commonly referred to as the funeral service, which can be conducted within the Mass or apart from it, and the burial service, which is conducted at the place of interment. In these worship services, God’s mercy is called down on the deceased person, asking that he be saved from eternal death and brought into paradise. 

If you are in need of information regarding funeral services, please call our Parish Office at 814-684-1480 or consult with the Director of the Funeral Home of your choice.

What We Believe: The Funeral Liturgy

If you have ever wondered why Catholics have certain rituals and practices at the time of death, then you are not alone. Our faith in the Paschal Mystery (the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ) reveals itself through the dying and death of each Christian. The following points are designed to invite reflection upon the meaning of what we do and believe at the time of a Christian's death. We also hope that this section will act as a guide for you to better understand and appreciate our beliefs and practices. 

In facing death, we are reminded that God has created each person for eternal life. We celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a person's life, which has now been returned to the Author of Life. At the death of a Christian, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased. We are confident in the conviction that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds of family, friendship, and community that are forged in life. 

The Church, through its funeral rites, commends the dead to God's merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. In the Eucharistic sacrifice, the Church celebrates Christ's Passover from death to life and our participation in this great mystery. The faith of all the baptized is renewed and nourished in this celebration. The intimate connection between the baptism of the Christian into the death and resurrection of Christ and the Eucharistic celebration is one of the main reasons for offering the Mass for the deceased. 

In summary, we believe that in celebrating the funeral rites, we affirm and express the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession. In the gathering of the community of believers with the community of saints in heaven, we offer our prayers through the person of Jesus Christ in the greatest prayer of the Church, which is the Eucharist. 

Why Catholics Bury Their Dead With Dignity

When we are baptized, we believe that our bodies are marked with the seal of the Holy Trinity. Since we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we respect and honor the bodies of the dead and their places of rest. The customs associated with the preparation of the body of the deceased are always marked with dignity and reverence, and never with the despair of those who have no hope. Therefore, in the presence of the deceased, we turn to prayer. In this time of sorrow, it is through prayer that we receive the necessary grace and consoling assurances of our faith.  

For the final disposition of the body, it is the ancient Christian custom to bury or entomb the bodies of the dead in a consecrated and holy place. 

The Three Stations of Christian Burial

When a member of the faithful has died, the Church identifies three stations, or time periods, for the celebration of the rite of Christian burial:

• The Vigil (Wake) - usually held on the night before the funeral 
• The Celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) - on the day of the funeral
• The Committal (the place of internment, burial, and mourning) - immediately following the funeral

The Vigil Service

The Vigil for the deceased, commonly known as the Wake, is the initial rite celebrated by the Christian community at the time following death and before the funeral liturgy and the rite of committal. 

The Vigil usually takes place in a funeral home, but it may also take place in the family home or in the parish church, as local custom dictates. 

The celebration of the Vigil is the time for the Christian community to offer both prayer and consolation to the members of the bereaved family; to read and reflect on the Word of God; to call upon our God of Mercy through intercessory prayer; and to provide an opportunity for family and friends to recall the memory of their loved one. Other prayers, such as the Rosary, are also encouraged since they help us reflect upon the Paschal Mystery and lead us to a greater sense of hope at this time of grief. 

The Mass of Christian Burial

For Catholics, the celebration of the Mass is both the source and the summit of our faith. Hence, when we celebrate the Mass at the time of death, it is seen as the fullest expression of our faith in God's abundant mercy, our hope in the resurrection of the dead, and the love that God has for us, which is not extinguished even by death. 

We actively participate in the Funeral Mass as an expression of faith in Jesus Christ. Family members may choose the Scripture reading for the Mass, cover the casket with the pall, place Christian symbols on the casket (crucifix, bible), present the bread and wine at the preparation rite, and help select hymns for the community to sing. 

Members of the parish community also participate in the funeral liturgy and join with the bereaved family in the celebration of the funeral rites by proclaiming the Word, leading the faithful in song, serving at the altar and if needed, helping with the distribution of communion. 

A priest or deacon will preach at the Funeral Mass. By preaching on Jesus Christ, who conquered death by His victory on the cross, our faith offers consolation to the family in their loss and challenges the community to live more faithful lives. 

Words of Remembrance differ from a homily and should concentrate upon the faith life of the loved one, highlighting his or her virtues and qualities. The sharing of memories with Christian charity, good discretion, and warm humor are appropriate elements. Words of Remembrance may be shared at the Vigil or at another appropriate time outside the funeral liturgy. Please note that a eulogy is not allowed at a Catholic Funeral. 

The Rite of Committal

The Rite of Committal is celebrated at the place of burial. In the committal of the body to its place of rest, we express our hope that the deceased will experience the glory of the resurrection. The committal must always be celebrated immediately following the funeral, unless a good pastoral reason dictates otherwise, such as travel to a distant cemetery. In the case of cremation, the cremated remains of the deceased must always be immediately interred in a consecrated burial site. 

What is Special About Catholic Cemeteries?

Since the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church has always set aside ground that is blessed and consecrated by God for the specific purpose of providing Christians with a dignified and holy resting place. The sacred nature of cemeteries is directly related to the Church's belief in the resurrection of the body and the final consummation of the world. 

Is Cremation Allowed in the Catholic Church?

While the Church encourages burial of the body, after the manner of Christ's own burial, out of respect for the human body and belief in the resurrection, cremation may be chosen for a sufficient reason, such as hygienic or other reasons of a public nature; transfer of the remains to/from a distant place; avoidance of considerable expense. 

When cremation is designated, the funeral rites are conducted in the usual way with the body present and cremation taking place after the celebration of the Funeral Mass at the church. 

In unusual circumstances when the bodily remains are cremated before the Funeral Mass, we still celebrate the Mass with the cremated remains present in the church and with the appropriate ritual adaptations. The cremated remains are always buried or interred. They are not buried on private land but in consecrated ground in a cemetery. It is not proper to scatter or pour the cremated remains over the sea, water, or on the land. This action does not give due respect to the remains of the deceased, nor does it allow for the closure and healing of family and friends. Likewise, housing the remains with family or friends and not placing the deceased in the ground does not offer loved ones a specific and sacred place to visit the Christian. Visiting the deceased in a holy place provides believers with a space to offer prayers, commune with those who have gone before us in faith, and reminds us to await the resurrection of our own bodies. 

Final Thoughts on Catholic Funerals

At times when death catches us off guard, we may not always remember that the Funeral Rites are liturgical rites of the Church. Therefore, please understand if our pastor cannot accommodate some requests, such as a specific poem, song, or article that was your loved one's favorite. There are other moments outside the liturgy, such as the Wake, when you can share these things with your family and friends. 

Funerals are a special time for God's grace and mercy, a time to open your heart, receive His blessings, and place your hope in the resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Praying for the Deceased

Through the Communion of Saints, our prayers and sacrifices, united to Christ's redemptive sacrifice, can help the living and the dead in Purgatory. Purgatory is the place or state of purification of the effects of sins and the forgiveness of the guilt of venial sins after death. It assures the dead that they are truly ready for heaven.