Funerals

If you receive no instructions, check with the family. They may ask only family to bring flowers and ask others to make a donation to a designated charity.

Cremation is accepted by the Roman Catholic Church. It is preferred that the body of the deceased be present at the funeral liturgy and cremation take place afterward, but it is also acceptable for the cremation to take place first and the cremains to be present at the funeral liturgy.

The Catholic Church allows a relative or friend of the person who has died to say some “Words in Remembrance”. Speakers should speak for no more than four or five minutes and think carefully about the content. Some of the stories may be more suitable for the reception after the funeral.

Priests usually suggest that non-religious music is played at the reception after the funeral.

If you can’t go to the funeral it is a good idea to let the family know in a letter or a card. You may like to have a Mass said for the repose of the soul of the deceased person. You can buy a Mass card at most church bookshops. It is usual to ask a priest to sign the card in return for a donation. You can then send the card to the dead person’s family.