Joshua Bennett
Attending a Catholic funeral for the first time can be daunting, especially if you are not Catholic. However, it is important to remember that paying your respects is the most important thing. Catholic funerals are traditional and usually consist of a viewing, memorial service, funeral mass, and burial. There is a focus on praying for the person who has died and supporting their family. The funeral liturgy or mass involves taking communion, prayers, music, hymns, and readings from the Bible. The priest will also deliver a eulogy, which is a speech that honours the deceased's life. The vigil, where family and friends gather to pray for the deceased, is usually held the night before the funeral. The committal, or final commendation, is the burial of the body or ashes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Belief about death | Catholics believe death is the passing of a spirit from the physical world into the afterlife, which could mean the soul will live on in Heaven, Hell or Purgatory (a place between heaven and hell) |
| Structure | A three-part structure: vigil, funeral liturgy, and committal |
| Vigil | A gathering of friends and family to pray for the deceased, view the body, deliver eulogies, recite poems, and listen to scripture readings. It is usually held the night before the funeral and led by a priest. |
| Funeral Liturgy | The funeral service held in a church, which may include Holy Communion (Eucharist), prayers, music, hymns, and scripture readings. |
| Committal | The burial of the body or ashes, which includes the Rite of Committal with readings, prayers, incense burning, and sprinkling of holy water on the coffin. |
| Mass | The central act of worship for Catholics, which may include the Eucharist, prayers, hymns, and scripture readings. Non-Catholics can receive a blessing without taking communion. |
| Eulogy | A speech honouring and remembering the life of the deceased. It may be delivered by the priest or a family member during the vigil or after the homily. |
| Open Casket | Catholics often prefer an open casket to allow loved ones to see the deceased one last time before burial. |
| Luncheon | A luncheon may follow the burial. |
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What You'll Learn
A three-part structure: vigil, funeral liturgy and committal
A traditional Catholic funeral is divided into three parts: the vigil, the funeral liturgy, and the committal. Each part has its own distinct rituals and significance. Here is a detailed breakdown of each component:
The Vigil
The vigil, also known as a wake or reception, usually takes place the night before the funeral. It can be held at a funeral home, a church, the deceased's home, or even outdoors in a park. The vigil is an opportunity for friends and family to gather, pray for the deceased, and view the body. The body is typically present at a vigil, with Catholics often preferring an open casket to allow loved ones a final viewing before burial. However, if the family chooses a closed casket, this indicates that the body cannot be viewed for any reason. During the vigil, eulogies are delivered, poems may be recited, and scriptures may be read. The priest presiding over the funeral usually leads the vigil, guiding the attendees in prayer.
The Funeral Liturgy
The funeral liturgy is the funeral service held in a church. It is also commonly referred to as the funeral mass. This part of the funeral involves taking communion, prayers, music, hymns, and scripture readings. The priest will sprinkle holy water on the casket and incense it before the mass begins. Family members are invited to place photographs, mass cards, and flowers near the casket. During the mass, the priest will deliver a eulogy, honouring and remembering the life of the deceased. Up to three family members may read from the Bible, and the priest will expound on the meaning of these verses. The funeral liturgy is open to both Catholic and non-Catholic attendees. Non-Catholics can receive a blessing without taking communion and are welcome to join in with prayers and hymns or observe quietly.
The Committal
The committal, also known as the final commendation, marks the burial of the body or ashes. It usually takes place at the graveside after the funeral liturgy. The priest will read from scripture, recite prayers, burn incense, and sprinkle holy water on the casket once more. The committal ends with a reading of the Lord's Prayer and a blessing. Sometimes, a final hymn or song is included. The committal is considered just as important as the funeral liturgy, providing a meaningful conclusion to the funeral ceremony.
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Hymns, prayers and eulogies
Hymns, prayers, and eulogies are integral parts of a Catholic funeral. The funeral liturgy, or funeral mass, involves prayers, music, and hymns. The priest will usually lead everyone in reciting different prayers at various points in the funeral and read out specific sections of the Bible. Family members may also read out sections of the Bible and choose the selection of prayers or readings for the service.
The priest will deliver a eulogy, a speech that honours and remembers the life of the person who has died. Eulogies are also delivered at the vigil, which is held the night before the funeral. The vigil, also known as a wake or reception, is where family and friends gather to pray for the deceased and view the body. They may also deliver eulogies, recite poems, and listen to scripture readings.
Hymns may be sung during the funeral liturgy, and the committal may include a final hymn or song. Non-Catholics are usually welcome to join in with prayers and hymns or observe them quietly.
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Holy water and incense
Holy water is one of the most powerful symbols in Catholic funeral rites, representing purification and the promise of eternal life. Its use during the funeral service is a reminder of the deceased’s baptism, where they were first cleansed of original sin and initiated into the Christian faith. Typically, the priest begins the ceremony by sprinkling holy water over the body or casket, calling to mind the deceased’s baptism and their entry into the Christian life. This act serves as a reminder that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with God. Holy water is also used during the procession to the cemetery or columbarium, where the priest or family members may sprinkle it on the burial site.
Incense has been a part of Catholic worship for centuries, symbolizing prayers rising to heaven and the sanctification of the funeral space. The rising smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful ascending to God, invoking His mercy for the soul of the departed. This ancient ritual is deeply comforting for the grieving family, as it signifies that the entire church community is praying for the eternal rest of their loved one. The priest typically circles the casket while swinging the thurible, a metal censer that holds burning incense.
In Singapore, where the Catholic community is vibrant and diverse, these symbolic items play a crucial role in funeral rites, representing the hope of eternal life, the purification of the soul, and the connection between the deceased and God. Holy water may be blessed by a priest specifically for the funeral, often in the presence of family members, who may also participate in sprinkling the holy water during the final blessings.
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Open casket
At a Catholic funeral, the family of the deceased decides whether to have an open or closed casket. Catholics traditionally prefer an open casket to allow loved ones to see the deceased one final time before burial. However, the decision is entirely up to the family, and some Catholic churches may not allow open caskets at all.
If the casket is open, it is usually left that way during the vigil, also known as the wake, which takes place before the funeral liturgy. During the vigil, the family and friends of the deceased pay their respects and say their final goodbyes. The vigil is often held over two or three days in a funeral home, the family home, a church hall, or another place chosen by the family. A priest may attend the vigil to offer support to the family and lead them in prayer.
During the funeral liturgy, which includes the funeral mass and the committal, the casket is typically closed. The funeral liturgy is the central act of worship for Catholics, and the focus is on getting the spirit of the deceased to heaven rather than on the deceased themselves. The funeral mass consists of introductory rites, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The introductory rites include the Opening Prayer, the Penitential Rite, and the Gloria. The Liturgy of the Word includes readings and hymns from the gospels, and during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Catholics take holy communion, which they see as the body and blood of Christ. Non-Catholics may still receive a blessing without taking communion.
After the funeral liturgy, the casket is taken to the cemetery for burial or the crematory for cremation. Mourners usually accompany the deceased to the gravesite or cemetery, where the priest blesses the burial site or place of interment and leads the community in prayer, ending with the Lord's Prayer.
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Mass and communion
A Catholic funeral typically consists of a viewing, memorial service, funeral Mass, and burial. The funeral Mass is a central act of worship for Catholics and is usually held in a church. The priest will preside over the service and will be the one to receive and greet mourners at the door.
The Mass includes Holy Communion, which is the body and blood of Christ, taken with a blessing from the priest. Attendees who are not Catholic can still receive the blessing without taking Communion. The priest will deliver a eulogy, which is a speech that honours and remembers the life of the person who has died. Family members are also allowed to read scripture and share their memories of the deceased during the Mass.
The Mass also includes prayers, music, and hymns. The priest will lead everyone present in reciting different prayers and reading specific sections of the Bible. The readings and prayers are chosen by the family or the priest with the family's blessing. Non-Catholics are usually welcome to join in with the prayers and hymns or observe quietly.
After the Mass, the priest will lead the committal at the graveside. The committal ends with a reading of the Lord's Prayer and a blessing.
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Frequently asked questions
A traditional Catholic funeral has a three-part structure: the vigil, funeral liturgy, and committal. The vigil is where family and friends gather before the funeral, the funeral liturgy is the funeral service held in a church, and the committal is the burial of the body or ashes.
The vigil, also known as a wake or reception, is held the night before the funeral. It usually takes place at a funeral home, church, or the deceased's house, and friends and family gather to pray for the deceased and view the body. Eulogies, poems, and scripture readings are also part of the vigil.
The funeral liturgy, also known as the funeral mass, involves communion, prayers, music, and hymns. The priest will read verses from the Bible and sprinkle holy water on the casket. Family members can place photos, cards, and other mementos on or near the casket.
Non-Catholics are usually welcome to join in with prayers, hymns, and other aspects of the funeral or observe quietly. If you prefer to observe, you can sit at the back of the church and remain seated during the service. You can also join the procession to the cemetery after the mass without participating in the mass itself.
