PRAYER

Lord God,

whose days are without end

and whose mercies beyondcounting,

keep us mindful that life is short and the hour of deathunknown.

Let your Spirit guide our days onearth

in the ways of holiness andjustice,

that we may serve you

in union with the wholeChurch,

sure in faith, strong in hope, perfect inlove.

And when our earthly journey isended,

lead us rejoicing into yourkingdom,

where you live for ever andever.

Amen.

(Order of ChristianFunerals)

CELEBRATING THE FUNERAL LITURGY

Introduction

The death of a family member is a particularly sad and painful experience.Even when expected, the death of a loved one always leaves a sense of shock and loss.Yet despite the shock and loss, many practical arrangements have to be made at short notice, including the planning of the funeral liturgy.

At this sad and painful time of bereavement people of faith turn to God and the Church seeking comfort and support.The Church's funeral liturgy is a rich source of consolation and hope at this difficult time.

The enclosed Guidelines are designed to ensure that the celebration of the funeral liturgy is a dignified, prayerful and consoling experience for mourners and all who participate in the funeral ceremonies.They have been compiled to assist all those whose duty it is to make the necessary arrangements for the Christian burial of one of the faithful.

These Guidelines are now presented to the faithful of the archdiocese of Cashel & Emly as a means of ensuring the continued worthy celebration of the funeral liturgy and the strengthening of Christian hope among the bereaved and all the faithful.

1 Arranging the Funeral Liturgy.

The worthy celebration of the funeral liturgy requires careful planning.The priest who celebrates the Funeral Mass will be happy to assist bereaved relatives in planning the funeral liturgy, especially in the choice of Scripture readings, prayers of the faithful, hymns, liturgical music and other such matters.

2 Communication

As soon as possible following the event, funeral directors/relatives are asked to notify parish clergy regarding the death of a parishioner.Such timely notification facilitates the necessary planning of the funeral liturgy.

The times for reposing of remains, removal to church and arrival in church should be indicated in death notices published in newspapers and on radio.Such will help to avoid unnecessary delay and encourage more people to participate in the liturgical ceremony of Reception of the Body at the Church.

3 Prayers in the Home/Funeral Parlour

The Order of Christian Funerals provides a variety of prayer services for use in the more intimate setting of home or funeral parlour.

These prayers can be led by a priest, a family member or a parishioner.This is the appropriate setting in which to recall and celebrate the deceased's interests and associations.The priest in your parish will be happy to visit the home or funeral parlour to pray for the deceased and the mourners.

4 Reception of the Body at the Church

This rite signifies the transition from the private expression of the personal grief of the family in the home to the more public liturgical expression of the local parish community's prayerful support for the deceased and relatives.

Christian Symbols

The prayers and symbols used at the Reception of the Body at the Church emphasize the dignity of the Christian.

·The coffin is sprinkled with holy water to recall the pledge of eternal life received in the waters of baptism.

·The lighted Paschal Candle symbolises the risen Christ's victory over sin.

·Other Christian symbols such as a Cross, the Book of the Gospels and a funeral pall may be placed on the coffin at this time.

Personal Emblems

The family may also wish to carry other emblems which reflect the deceased's interests and personality.

·These should not conflict with the Christian symbols which are used in the ceremony.

·Such personal emblems may be placed near the coffin or the family but they should not displace the Christian symbols which represent the baptismal calling of the deceased.

Flags

On occasion, relatives may wish to drape the coffin with the national or other appropriate flag.In such circumstances the following procedures apply:

·The coffin may be draped with an appropriate flag as it enters the Church.

·While lying in church the flag should not obscure the Christian symbols placed on the coffin.This will necessitate the partial folding of the flag.

·In some parishes the funeral pall is used to drape the coffin at all funerals.Local custom should be followed in this matter.

5 Funeral Mass

The Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased.Relatives and friends are welcome to actively participate in the celebration of the Mass.Such active involvement in the Mass includes the reading of Scripture, reciting the prayers of the faithful and the presentation of the gifts.However, grieving relatives should not feel obliged to engage in public performance on such a sad occasion.

Word of God

Readings

·Family members are encouraged to choose appropriate Scripture readings for the Funeral Mass.

·Reading of the Word of God alone is permitted at the Eucharistic celebration.Secular readings may not replace the Word of God.

Homily

·The homily, delivered by the priest or deacon, focuses on the Christian's belief in the resurrection, thus offering hope and consolation to mourners and faithful in general.

·While the homilist may refer to the deceased's efforts to live the Christian life, the homily is not a eulogy.

Prayers of the Faithful

·In the prayers of the faithful the Christian community calls upon God to bring comfort to the bereaved and to show mercy to the deceased.

·Family members or friends who wish to compose these prayers should consult with the celebrant of the Mass to ensure that these intercessions conform to liturgical norms.

6 Presentation of Gifts

It is desirable that relatives or friends of the deceased present the bread and wine for the Eucharistic celebration.

It is not appropriate at this time to bring forward other emblems of the deceased's life and interests.As previously indicated (cf. No 4 above) such emblems may, if required, be brought forward at the Reception of the Body at the Church, or prior to the commencement of the Funeral Mass.

7 Music and Hymns

Appropriate music and hymns enhance the funeral liturgy and are recommended.Many parishes have choirs and organists available to participate in Funeral Masses.

When choosing suitable hymns and music for the funeral liturgy relatives of the deceased should consult with the celebrant and/or parish organist and choir.This is particularly important when outside musicians or cantors are engaged to lead music and song in the funeral liturgy.

Secular lyrics have no place in the Church's sacred liturgy.

On occasion, appropriate secular music, especially instrumental music, can enhance the funeral liturgy.Judgment regarding the appropriateness of such music should be made by the celebrant and/or parish organist.

8 Mass Cards

It is not appropriate to place Mass cards on the coffin.

A suitable basket or other container for this purpose should be located in the vicinity of the coffin.

9 Flowers

When flowers are presented at funerals it is recommended that only one wreath should be placed near the coffin in church.

Other wreaths are more appropriately located in the church porch or other suitable storage area near the entrance to the Church.

Such an arrangement enhances the dignity of a Christian funeral while also facilitating the easy movement of the cortège into and out of the church.

10 Address

Should a relative or friend of the deceased wish to deliver an address on the occasion of a funeral a number of options are available:

The address, which is a resume of and tribute to the life and achievements of the deceased, is most appropriately delivered at the graveside following interment.

The following arrangements apply where relatives wish to have an address in church;

i. The address, which should be brief,may be delivered either at the end of the ceremony of Reception of the Body;prior to the Funeral Mass or at the conclusion of the Final Commendation following the Funeral Mass.

ii. The sentiments expressed in an address delivered in church should be in harmony with the sacred surroundings of the house of God and the funeral liturgy.

iii. Hence, the person delivering the address should discuss the matter with the celebrant in advance.

iv. It is not appropriate to deliver an address during the celebration of Mass.

Conclusion

In the funeral liturgy we commend the deceased to God, pray for the bereaved and nourish our faith in the resurrection.

By faithfully observing these Guidelines our funeral liturgies will be what they are intended to be - prayerful expressions of Christian faith in a good and merciful God who is compassionate to all.

May those who mourn and all the faithful find renewed hope and strength through the worthy celebration of the funeral liturgy.

"I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord,whoever believes in me will never die".

(John,11,25-26)