Do we really have to have a funeral Mass (or funeral liturgy outside of Mass)? What if no one is going to come? The answer to these two common questions is a resounding YES! While the funeral Mass is partially for the living, it is even more for the deceased. The funeral Mass bestows immeasurable graces on the decedent and their loved ones gathered. Plus, this is the last opportunity for the deceased’s body to be present in front of the Eucharist – the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Yes, you want to have a funeral liturgy. Yes, you want to have a funeral Mass when possible and feasible. As the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, it should be no surprise that the funeral liturgy is central to the Order of Christian Funerals. While you can utilize the funeral liturgy outside of Mass for specific reasons, the funeral Mass is the typical and ordinary form of liturgy used within the Order of Christian Funerals. The Funeral Mass is always the preferred liturgy. Individuals can have a funeral Mass, whether you have a traditional casket burial or a cremation burial. That said, the preference is always to have the full body present. This means the preference is to have cremation take place following the Mass. Those attending a funeral Mass will find it very similar to their Sunday Mass, with the same Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist, but with a few additions. If this is the first time the body is coming into the Church, the Rite of Reception takes place at the start of the Mass. During this rite, a pall is placed on the casket, which is then blessed with holy water before being processed to the front of the church. The funeral Mass ends with commendation prayers after the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Similar to the funeral Mass, a funeral liturgy outside of Mass has most of the same components, except the Liturgy of the Eucharist is omitted. Whether within or outside of Mass, the funeral liturgy focuses on God’s love for us. There is no greater example of his love than Jesus’ dying on the Cross for each of us. We celebrate this at every Mass, and our final opportunity to participate in this celebration is at our funeral Mass. Do you really want to miss out on that celebration? I don’t! I don’t want to miss the opportunity for the graces that come forth, nor the opportunity for my loved one to fill the void of loss with faith.
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