GRIEVING; PART 3 ; THE CATHOLIC FUNERAL

 

I want you to examine the Catholic funeral. What does the ritual actually entail?

 

Catholics are very pastoral (adjusting to the needs of the people right in front of them) in the way they do funerals. Now, there are several very devout Catholics who are so narrow that they cannot live outside the full Catholic ritual. They view a funeral in the funeral home as questionable for the born Catholic. 

 

But our Catholic practice reaches people where they are at and on terms they can grasp.  There was a funeral a couple of years ago (forty people present at the funeral home) where the only people that could respond to the prayers were a United Church couple who were friends of the grieving father. Hardly anyone made the sign of the cross. We could not have long Catholic prayers but carried the people along to understand the prayers and ritual (the sprinkling) as best they could.

 

A funeral of hymns, the Scripture readings, a homily and prayers is a very Catholic funeral. 

 

We are now receiving requests for a ‘grave side service.’ This is simple. It usually does not take too long. The uptick of these requests, often, though not always, is the family does not feel comfortable (or capable) of a traditional funeral in a church building. As simple as this service is, it can be very comforting and serve as a final send-off: a little bit of prayer over the departed on terms the people can handle. 

 

But the full Catholic funeral recognizes the importance of the human body. When there is full burial, we cover the coffin with a big white pall. This has baptismal meaning. A second meaning to the funeral pall is that all persons are equal before God. 

 

We bring the body into the church proper and have the proclamation of the Word of God. The homily is meant to deepen the people’s share in the promise of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The hymns express our deep sense that God is working among us and triumphs over death. 

 

The prayers serve to pray for the deceased and all family and friends present. The focus is not only on the departed but brings the concerns of all the living to the Lord.

 

Then we enter into the Eucharistic prayer where we come to share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our sharing in holy communion is our commitment to share in the great self-giving of Christ for humanity.

 

The final prayers over the body and the sprinkling with holy water indicates that as a baptized person you are meant for eternal  life. Then we will take the body to the cemetery for burial. We return to the earth form which we came.

 

There is provision to have funerals for people from another Christiaan community and funerals for people of no faith identity. The pastoral practice is very broad and generous.

 

When people understand what all these Scripture readings, the prayers, the holy water means, they are strengthened. This is not some religious words we run through; it is the living encounter with our God.

 

Be aware of the variety and the pastoral tools that are available to born Catholics who have almost no acquaintance with the practice of the faith and what is available for very active and devout Catholic.