Dear
Parishioners,
Catholic
parishes generally have their fair number of funerals each year. The
priests are acutely aware of our need to help comfort families and to provide
the necessary spiritual guidance at this most difficult time.
There
are a few trends in society, however, that seem to be all too frequent today
and I think they need to be addressed. First, the norm for a
Catholic funeral is at Mass. It
is important that we focus on the saving action of Christ by
His Passion, Death and Resurrection. The Mass itself is the
most perfect prayer and sacrifice that can be offered for our loved
ones. Nothing is more
efficacious. It is a re-presentation of
Christ’s Salvific Act. The funeral rite contains such rich symbolism
reminding us of our connection to Baptism. We also can receive
the Body and Blood of Jesus to strengthen us.
Sometimes
those who are not familiar with the proper Catholic protocol might encourage
having just a funeral service in the funeral home. While
the service may bring some comfort to the family, theologically it is never the same as having a
Mass offered for that person. Please think of the eternal soul of the
deceased and have their funeral rites take place during a Mass. It is
also important to pray and to have Masses offered for the soul of the
deceased. While flowers are a nice gesture, a Mass offered for the
deceased is much more beneficial spiritually.
Second,
it specifically stated in the funeral ritual that “there is never to be a
eulogy” during the funeral Mass (Order of
Christian Funerals, General Introduction #27). Over time this
practice has found its way into our liturgies and become a somewhat
“acceptable” practice. However, the funeral liturgy should be more about the saving action of Christ than
a tribute to a deceased person. The recommended place for
such a eulogy is either at the funeral home,
graveside (weather permitting) or at the meal usually served
after the funeral. (At a family’s
request, I have reluctantly permitted someone to say a few words prior to
Mass so that it was not actually part of the liturgy itself.)
Personally,
I have had some bad experiences with eulogies over the years. These
range from a minister of another denomination beginning to “preach” at the
funeral Mass and to contradict Catholic teaching; to people being so
emotionally distraught that they could not finish what they wanted to say; to someone
using biblical references to Jesus Christ and applying them directly to
the deceased person. The bishops, priests or deacons are the only
ones “ordained” to speak on behalf of the Church from the pulpit. We
have a duty to bring people to Christ and to worship and
adore Him. The
liturgy in not about “praising” and “canonizing” the deceased no matter
how good the person was.
Third,
the choice of music should always be religious in nature and
appropriate for a church funeral. Secular music (popular or
sentimental) is never appropriate during Mass.
Finally,
since there are more and more cremations taking place these days, I
remind those who choose this option what the Catholic funeral rite tells us
about the proper placement of the ashes or cremains:
The cremated
remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human
body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain
the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, and the care and attention to
appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. The cremated
remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium.
The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the
ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the
deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. (Order
of Christian Funerals, #417)
Bishop
Sullivan reminded me at my installation Mass of my role as the “chief teacher”
of the parish. I hope that I am being
faithful to this task and pastorally
sensitive as well.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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