Conduct a Catholic Funeral
There are many ways to conduct a Catholic Funeral. First, there is the traditional burial, which is the traditional method of interment for a deceased Catholic. This is often a family decision, and is not a requirement of the church. In some cases, a non-Catholic may have a rite of committal. It can take place in a church or cemetery chapel. A priest or deacon will preside over the service, and family members will have the opportunity to speak during the service.
There are several things that you can do to make sure your Catholic Funeral is a meaningful experience for everyone involved. The family and friends of the deceased may choose to donate Communion ware for the funeral, such as a chalice, ciborium, or pyx. Additionally, a family may choose to send vestments to the priest. A priest will also be present to assist the family in choosing the right clothing and jewelry for the funeral.
While flowers are always a traditional funeral tribute, there are some specific guidelines to follow. A Catholic funeral mass usually includes readings from the Old Testament, which may be read by a priest or family members. The priest will also deliver a homily, a eulogy, and Holy Communion. In addition to that, a Catholic funeral mass will include a sprinkle of holy water to the coffin. In general, a Catholic funeral will be more formal than a non-religious service.
How to Conduct a Catholic Funeral
A Catholic funeral will include the laying of the pall on the casket and the blessing of the casket by a priest using Holy water. The pall will be dragged over the casket, symbolizing the deceased’s baptism into the church. There will be a number of prayers and readings during the service. At the end, there will be a Eucharist, which is a bread and wine offering that rekindles the memory of the deceased.
There are three basic stages to a Catholic Funeral service. It includes readings from the Old Testament, which may be done by the priest or family members of the deceased. The priest will also read from the gospel. Afterwards, the priest will deliver a homily and a eulogy, before offering Holy Communion and the Final Commendation. The coffin will be sprinkled with holy water, and the coffin will be strewn with flowers.
The funeral service will start with the reading of the Gospel of Jesus. This will be followed by a reading from the Bible. Then, family members will be asked to read one or two passages from the Bible. The priest will read the homily, which connects the deceased with God. A prayer will be delivered in which the deceased’s favorite scripture is quoted. This will be followed by a sermon. A Catholic funeral is a very meaningful occasion for the family.
