Catholic Funeral

About a Catholic Funeral

A Catholic funeral is hinged on the belief that death is the passing from the physical world to the afterlife, where the deceased’s soul will live in Heaven, Hell or Purgatory.

At the end of time, Catholics believe that the bodies of the dead will be resurrected.

A priest will perform the necessary rites and probably will also be able to provide you with funeral homes that are Catholic-friendly or have the funeral services for Catholic funerals.

While the Catholic Church does not support cremation, it is now acceptable for Catholics to be cremated. However, most churches prefer the body be present for Funeral Mass. Remains can be buried in the ground or at a sea of entombed in a columbarium and should not be scattered.

The Vigil or Wake is a ceremony where family and friends gather to pay respects to the deceased and the family, which can take place in a funeral home, church or the family home. Prayers led by the priest will be conducted followed by eulogies, memorials, singing of hymns or secular music, readings and poems.

Catholic Funeral Etiquette for Non-Catholics

When attending a Catholic funeral, non-Catholics should follow the same etiquette as they would for any funeral. During the Mass, the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (communion) will take place and non-Catholics need not participate in communion. This is observed similarly in a Christian and Anglican Funeral.