Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish

1626 Oak Street

Melbourne, FL   32901

(321) 723-3636 (Phone) • (321) 951-8029 (Fax)

FUNERAL RITES OF THE CHURCH

The church offers us three services at the time of a death in the family, each service builds on the other.

1. VIGIL SERVICE — At the Vigil Service, usually conducted either in the funeral home or in the parish church on the eve of the Funeral Mass, the faithful keep watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and find strength in Christ’s presence.  The Vigil is a Scripture or Evening Prayer Service.  This service is often the first gathering of the faithful friends with the family and those who cannot attend the Funeral Mass.

2. FUNERAL MASS—The tradition of the Church has always been the celebration of the Mass with the body present.  This is the norm and it is encouraged that all have the Funeral Mass with the body present.  Christians respect and honor the body of the dead, which in Baptism became the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  The Funeral Mass includes the reception of the body, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Final Commendation & Farewell.  Recently the directives of the church have stated that we are to give the same respect to the remains in an urn as we do to the body in a casket.  This means we welcome those families who wish the body of their loved one cremated.

3. RITE OF COMMITTAL—For the final disposition of the body, it is the ancient Christian custom to bury or entomb the bodies of the dead in a cemetery, which means “resting place”.  The Rite of Committal is the conclusion of the funeral rite and may be celebrated beside the open grave or place of internment.  The faithful express the hope that, with all those who have gone before marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection and passes into the welcoming company of those who see God face to face.

Our Lady of Lourdes does not give permission for the scattering of cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a friend or relative of the deceased.  This is not the reverent disposition the Church requires.

SYMBOLS

EASTER CANDLE—The Easter or Paschal Candle reminds us of Christ’s undying presence among us, of His victory over sin and death and our share in that victory by our initiation into the community of faith.  During the funeral liturgy and also during the vigil service, when celebrated in church, the Easter Candle is placed near the position the casket or urn will occupy at the conclusion of the entrance procession.

HOLY WATER—Blessed water reminds us of the saving waters of baptism.  In the rite of reception of the body at the church, the use of Holy Water calls to mind the deceased’s baptism and initiation into the community of faith.

THE PALL— The Pall, a large white cloth draped over the casket when it is received in the church, is a reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased and is a sign of the Christian dignity of the person.  The use of the Pall also signifies that all are equal in the eyes of God.  At the beginning of the Funeral Mass, members of the family are invited to place the Pall over the casket.

INCENSE— Incense is used during the funeral rites as a sign of honor to the body or the cremated remains of the deceased, who through baptism became the temple of the Holy Spirit.  It is also used as a sign of the community’s prayers for the deceased rising to the throne of God and as a sign of farewell.

FUNERAL PLANNING

The Funeral Mass may not be celebrated in funeral homes or cemetery chapels.  Funerals may be celebrated any day except Solemnities of Obligation and during the Paschal Triduum.  In the Diocese of Orlando, it is the pastoral practice to refrain from celebrating funerals on all Sundays.

The local parish, in consultation with the Funeral Director and the family, determines the appropriate time for the funeral rites.  The funeral may be scheduled in the morning,  afternoon or evening.  The funeral rites are to be scheduled at a time which permits as many of the community as possible to be present.

Members or friends of the family are encouraged to be actively involved in the planning and celebration of the funeral rites.  The planning sheets for the Vigil Service or Funeral Mass will point out the many ways the family members and/or friends can participate in the funeral rites.

Planning of the funeral liturgy takes place during a visit with one of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Bereavement Ministers at an appropriate time after death and before the vigil service.  However, if pastoral and personal considerations allow, the period before death may be an appropriate time to plan the funeral rites with the family and even with the family member who is dying.

Flowers as symbols of resurrection and hope are to be used in moderation.  However, they should never be placed on or around the casket during the Funeral Mass.  Likewise, the flag should never cover the casket in church.

Personal memorabilia is never placed on the altar nor carried with the gifts of bread and wine when Mass is celebrated.  A picture of the deceased may be placed in the sanctuary.

BURIAL OF NON-CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS

Catholic burial, including the Funeral Mass, is permitted for a baptized non-Catholic who might reasonably be presumed to desire or prefer Catholic Burial services.  Such a decision would be appropriate where the non-Catholic party worshipped regularly at the Catholic Church or identified with the Catholic Church more than any other.  It would not be appropriate if the deceased were an active member of a non-Catholic Christian Church, except in the case where the minister of the deceased was unavailable.

Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints and the Resurrection of the Dead.  We pray for the dead, and we pray to be prepared for death whenever it comes.  Like Francis of Assisi, may we befriend death, little by little.  Let us meditate on this hymn based on his writings:

“And you, most kind and gentle death, Waiting to hush our final breath,

You lead to heaven the child of God, where Christ our Lord the way had trod.”

MUSIC

Sacred music for the Mass of Christian Burial should contain text which speaks of resurrection, hope and trust in a loving God.  Music may be selected upon consultation with the parish music minister.  Secular and taped music are not permitted during the liturgy.