The Rite of Christian Burial
It
has been the Church's custom in the funeral rites not only to commend the dead
to God but also to support the Christian hope of the people and give witness to
its faith in the future resurrection of the baptized with Christ.
-Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship
Funeral
Rites
Cannon 1176
1.
The Christian faithful departed are to be given ecclesiastical funeral rites
according to the norm of law.
2.
Through ecclesiastical funeral rites the Church asks spiritual assistance for
the departed, honors their bodies, and at the same time brings the solace of
hope to the living; such rites are to be celebrated according to the norms of
liturgical laws.
3.
The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of
the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it has been
chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.
Celebration of Funeral Rites
Cannon 1177
1.
As a rule the funeral rites for any of the faithful departed must be celebrated
in his or her own parish church.
2.
However, any member of the Christian faithful or those commissioned to arrange
for his or her funeral may choose another church for the funeral rites with the
consent of its rector and after informing the departed person's pastor.
3.
If death has occurred outside the person's own parish, and the corpse has not
been transferred to that parish and another church has not been legitimately
chosen for the funeral, the funeral rites are to be celebrated in the church of
the parish where the death occurred unless another church has been designated by
particular law.
When a death occurs in the family, all, including the greater family, the
parish, experience the loss. In the midst of the shock of death many questions
arise, some we hoped never to encounter; but these questions do not go away and
must be answered.
To assist you with any questions you may have regarding the entire Liturgy,
which includes the Vigil for the Deceased, the Funeral Mass and Final
Commendation, we invite you to please make an appointment to discuss your plans
with the pastor prior to your arranging with the funeral home. This way,
you will be made aware of the liturgical options, and the opportunity to have
others involved in the Liturgy. Those members of the parish who have taken part
in this process have found it to be prayerful and rewarding whereby all involved
come to the greater understanding of the Liturgy of Christian Burial, which is
the Liturgy of the Universal Church.