The Catholic Way of Death

What is the Catholic Way of Death?

Catholicism places special emphasis on the sacredness of human life. The introduction to the Order of Christian Funerals states that, “when a member of Christ’s Body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love.”

The Catholic Way of Death typically includes a Catholic Funeral Liturgy and a burial in a Catholic cemetery.

Catholic Funeral Liturgy

Upon death, there are several steps we take to express our faith in the victory over death by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Catholic Funeral Liturgy consists of four services leading up to the burial of the deceased.

The Catholic Vigil Service is a vigil that takes place for the deceased before the funeral liturgy. This vigil may be held within a parish church with the body present to allow full participation of the congregation and family. It may also take place within a family home or funeral home. This service includes various prayers and Scripture readings. Typically, the vigil is held the afternoon or evening before the day of the funeral.

The Funeral Mass is the primary celebration of the Catholic Funeral. The Funeral Mass includes symbolism and rituals for the deceased exclusive to the Mass of Christian Burial. It is a memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection and is much like Mass on Sundays.

The Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass consists of prayers and Scripture readings. This service is typically held at the place of viewing, meaning that Holy Communion cannot be distributed as it is not a celebration of the Eucharist.

The Committal Service is typically held at the Committal Chapel in the chosen cemetery or at the graveside. Like the previous services, this consists of Scripture readings and prayers for the deceased and the surviving family and friends. This service takes place before the burial.

Catholic Burial

The final act in the Catholic Way of Death is the Catholic burial. This is a final farewell from the members of the community, family and friends of the deceased. It also acknowledges that the living and the deceased share the same destiny and will be resurrected by Christ on the Last Day. The Church asks that the burial take place in the sacred ground of a Catholic cemetery, whether it is ground burial, mausoleum interment or cremation.