Joshua Bennett
During Catholic funeral masses, priests deliver a homily that reflects on the meaning of the readings. While the General Instruction for the Roman Missal instructs the priest not to deliver eulogies, priests are often expected to do so in their homily. The Vigil Service or the conclusion of the Rite of Committal is the preferred time for eulogies, stories, and reflections on the life of the deceased.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who presides over the funeral rites? | A priest, deacon, or lay person may preside over the funeral rites. |
| Who delivers a eulogy? | Eulogies are generally discouraged during the Funeral Mass, but family and friends may offer tributes to the deceased during the Vigil Service or at the conclusion of the Rite of Committal. If a eulogy is permitted during the Mass, only one person should speak on behalf of the family, and the remembrance should be well-prepared, written, and limited to no more than three minutes. |
| Who delivers a homily? | A priest usually delivers a short homily during the Funeral Mass. However, it is not meant to be a eulogy or a reflection on the achievements of the deceased but rather a reminder of God's loving welcome. |
| What are the other rituals involved? | The funeral rites may include the Reception of the Body or Prayer Vigil, where the coffin is taken into the church or another suitable location, and people gather to pray, share memories, and read scriptures. The Funeral Mass includes readings from the Old or New Testament, psalms, and a passage from the Gospel. After Communion, a family member or close friend may speak briefly in memory of the deceased. The Rite of Committal involves a verse from scripture, prayers, and the burial or entombment of the body or cremated remains. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic funeral masses focus on God, not the deceased
The Catholic funeral mass, also known as a Requiem Mass, is focused on God and eternal life, rather than the earthly life of the deceased. This is because the mass is about "what God has done [in their lives] and is now doing, calling them to salvation", as Father Rutherford explains. The burial or committal that follows the mass emphasizes the afterlife.
The General Instruction for the Roman Missal instructs priests not to deliver a eulogy as part of their homily during the funeral mass. However, priests are often expected to do so, and they may not always be aware of this instruction or that of the deceased or their family. The balance between pastoral care and logistical realities can be challenging. For instance, Pope Francis' homily during the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was criticised by some as being too "generic", while others found it "appalling" that it did not include a significant reflection on Benedict's life and legacy.
Despite this, the Catholic Church recognises the importance of allowing family and friends to share their memories of the deceased. As such, the official Order of Christian Funerals includes three rituals, with the wake service being the preferred place for eulogies. However, this ruling has often been ignored, and eulogies have found their way into funeral masses. In recent years, St. Francis Xavier Parish has instituted the practice of inviting a speaker to offer brief words of remembrance from the ambo immediately after the gathering song of the Mass, which has had a positive impact on funeral liturgies. This allows the presider, who may not have known the deceased, to focus on the resurrection and the hope of eternal life.
The Funeral Vigil, or Prayer Vigil, is another important part of the funeral rite, during which mourners may pray, share readings, and reflect on the life of the deceased. This usually takes place the night before the funeral, with the coffin received into the church, although it can also be held at the family home or a funeral home chapel.
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Eulogies are discouraged during funeral masses
The Catholic Church officially discourages eulogies during funeral Masses. The Mass is a liturgical rite that must adhere closely to Catholic guidelines, leaving no room for eulogies. Instead, the priest delivers a homily that reflects on the meaning of the readings and interprets the person's life by referencing the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. The focus is on God and the afterlife, not the achievements of the deceased.
The General Instruction for the Roman Missal and the General Introduction to the Order of Christian Funerals both state that there should be no eulogies during the Mass. The Order of Christian Funerals, published by the Vatican in 1989, gives pastors discretion in balancing liturgical principles with pastoral care. While some dioceses in Ireland and Australia have banned eulogies at funeral Masses, most U.S. dioceses leave the decision to the pastor's judgment.
The practice of eulogies during funeral Masses is a relatively recent development. Traditionally, eulogies were given during the vigil or wake, which is a separate ritual from the Mass. The vigil provides an opportunity for family and friends to gather, pray, and share memories of the deceased. In some cases, eulogies may also be given at the luncheon that follows the funeral.
While the Church discourages eulogies during funeral Masses, it recognizes the importance of allowing loved ones to speak and share memories of the deceased. As a compromise, some churches invite a family member or friend to offer brief words of remembrance immediately after the gathering song of the Mass. This practice recreates the memory of the deceased and sets the stage for the prayers and homily.
To accommodate the desire for eulogies, priests can work with families to find alternative ways to honour the deceased within the liturgical guidelines. For example, family and friends can select specific Scripture passages to read during the funeral Mass or share memories at the reception or wake. Ultimately, while eulogies are discouraged during funeral Masses, there are other opportunities within the Catholic funeral process to celebrate the life of the deceased.
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The priest delivers a homily reflecting on the meaning of the readings
During a Catholic funeral service, the priest delivers a homily reflecting on the meaning of the readings. A homily is not a eulogy, but priests are often expected to deliver some kind of eulogy in their homily. The priest usually selects a Gospel passage and uses it, along with the scripture passages chosen by the family, to prepare his homily. The family is encouraged to select appropriate scripture readings that reflect the life of the deceased, with one reading from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. However, in some parishes, the priest may prefer to select the readings.
The homily is meant to focus on praising Jesus Christ and reaffirming the Catholic belief that the deceased has not disappeared forever but continues to live on in Christ. This belief is central to the Funeral Mass, which is meant to be a time of reaffirming faith and finding comfort in the idea that the deceased has found a home alongside God.
While eulogies are not permitted during the Funeral Mass, they are an important part of the grieving process for many. To accommodate this, some parishes allow for Words of Remembrance to be spoken before or after the Funeral Mass. In addition, the Prayer Vigil, which takes place the night before the funeral, provides an opportunity for family and friends to gather, pray, and share memories of the deceased.
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The priest sprinkles the coffin with holy water
During a Catholic funeral, the priest plays a central role in guiding the proceedings and offering spiritual support. One of the rituals performed by the priest is the sprinkling of holy water on the coffin. This act holds symbolic significance and is carried out with reverence.
The ritual of sprinkling holy water on the coffin is often performed by the priest during the reception of the body or at the beginning of the funeral service. If the body has not been received into the church the night before, the priest greets the mourners at the door and sprinkles holy water on the coffin before it enters the church. This ritual symbolises the purification of the deceased's remains and is a way to ask for God's blessing and protection.
The priest, along with other participants, may also perform other rituals during the funeral. For instance, family members or friends may bring bread or wine to the altar before the Eucharistic Prayer, and Holy Communion may be offered. After Communion, a family member or close friend may share memories or speak briefly about the person who has died.
The priest's homily, or sermon, is an important aspect of the funeral Mass. While it primarily reflects on the meaning of the readings and God's loving welcome, priests are often expected to include elements of a eulogy, offering words of comfort and remembrance for the deceased. However, the inclusion of a eulogy within the Mass is a subject of debate, with some liturgical guidelines discouraging it.
The funeral liturgy, including the sprinkling of holy water, is designed to provide comfort and hope to the bereaved, reminding them of their faith and the promise of eternal life. The priest's role in these rituals is essential to the Catholic funeral tradition, offering spiritual guidance and support to those mourning a loss.
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Cremation is allowed but burial is preferred
Although the Catholic Church now allows cremation, burial is still the preferred option. This is because burial is seen as more respectful to the body, which Catholics believe is a gift from God, and is also more in line with the Catholic vision of personal embodiment and resurrection.
Historically, the Catholic Church was firmly against cremation, considering it a pagan practice that rejected the resurrection of the body. This view persisted for almost 2,000 years, with cremation only being permitted in 1963. Even then, it was only grudgingly accepted, and the Church continued to insist that burial was preferable.
The main reason for the shift towards cremation in modern times is financial. Cremation is significantly cheaper than burial, and the high cost of funerals can be a burden, especially for immigrant families or those with low incomes. Burial expenses used to be covered by small insurance policies or "burial societies", but these are now rare. Some Catholics have called for dioceses to subsidize cemetery operations to make burial more affordable.
Despite the preference for burial, cremation is a common choice for Catholics. If cremation is chosen, the Catholic Church requires that the ashes are buried in a suitable container, such as an urn, and not scattered. This is because ashes are considered human remains and should be treated with reverence. Urns can be buried in a family plot or grave, or placed in a niche, cremation bench, or monument within a cemetery.
The funeral Mass is an important part of the Catholic funeral process, and it is here that eulogies are given. The Mass is not intended to be a celebration of the deceased's life but a reflection on God's love and the promise of salvation. The homily delivered by the priest may include a eulogy, although this is not always the case, especially if the priest did not know the deceased or their family. Family members and friends may also give eulogies, either during the Mass or at the wake service.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholic priests deliver a homily at funeral Masses. The homily is a reflection on the meaning of the readings and is not meant to be a eulogy of the deceased.
A homily is a reflection on the meaning of the readings and is meant to remind us of God's loving welcome. A eulogy is a tribute to the deceased, sharing stories and reflections on their life.
The Vigil Service or the conclusion of the Rite of Committal is the preferred time for eulogies. Current liturgical guidelines strongly discourage eulogies during the Funeral Mass.
The priest presides over the Vigil Service, which includes scripture readings, intercessory prayers, and a brief homily or reflection. The priest may also sprinkle the coffin with holy water during this time.
