Catholic Funerals

Sometimes called the Wake, the vigil for the deceased is the official prayer of the church for the deceased, and the first of the three major rites celebrated by the Christian community. The vigil for the deceased is never omitted.

The vigil is celebrated between the time of death and the funeral liturgy, often on the day before or the evening before the funeral Mass. The vigil may take place in the home of the deceased, at the funeral home, or in the church. A priest, deacon, or layperson may preside at this liturgy.

The vigil takes the form of the liturgy of the word.  It centers on readings from sacred Scripture, songs, psalms, and intercessory prayer. A brief homily or reflection by the presider is also included. The vigil service is the preferred time for family and friends to offer stories, reflections, and eulogies on the life of the deceased. Devotional prayers, such as the rosary, may not replace the vigil service.

The funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased. The Christian community reaffirms in sign and symbol, word and gesture, that through baptism we share in Christ’s death and resurrection, and look forward to the day when we will be raised up and united in the kingdom of light and peace.

The funeral Mass is normally celebrated the evening before, or on the day of the burial or committal. A priest is the presider for a funeral Mass.

The funeral Mass begins at the entrance of the church. The priest and the gathered assembly receive the body of the deceased. The coffin is sprinkled with holy water and the pall is placed upon it by family or friends of the deceased to recall the deceased’s baptism. The body is carried in procession toward the altar and placed near the paschal candle. When the coffin is in place, other Christian symbols, such as the Book of Gospels or cross may be placed on the coffin.

Mass continues as the community celebrates the Liturgy of the Word. The homily is based on the readings and focuses on the paschal mystery and God’s love. The assembly prays for the deceased and the bereaved in the intercessions. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is celebrated as usual. In word and sacrament, we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection and reaffirm our share in this mystery.

The final commendation immediately follows the prayer after Communion. At this time the deceased is entrusted to God’s tender care.  The song of farewell is the climax of the rite of final commendation. This song, sung by the assembly, has a specific function: to affirm the hope and trust in the paschal mystery. The body may be incensed during or following the song of farewell.  The prayer of commendation concludes the rite.  

The procession is then formed and the body is carried to the place of burial or committal.

While commemorations of the deceased (eulogies) may be permitted in other Dioceses, in the Diocese of Madison eulogies are not permitted during the Funeral Mass or Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass.  Upon the pastor's permission a prepared eulogy may be given at the wake or reception afterwards.

Music selections for funerals are made in conjunction with the ministers of music in the parish and follow the directives of the Roman Catholic Church regarding music in the liturgy. Some requested music selections that do not fall within these norms may be appropriate during the period of the wake.

Funeral rites conclude with the rite of committal. The burial or committal takes place as soon as possible after the funeral Mass. The rite of committal takes place beside the open grave or place of interment. If this is not possible, it may take place at a cemetery chapel. A priest, deacon or lay person may preside at this service.

Though brief, the rite of committal assists the bereaved at this most difficult time. This rite includes a short Scriptural verse, the prayer of committal, intercessions, Lord’s Prayer and a blessing. The lowering of the body into the grave or placement into the tomb or crematorium may take place following the prayer of committal or at the conclusion of this rite. Those who wish may offer some gesture of leave-taking at this time.

Wisconsin law allows a member of a decedent's immediate family to personally prepare and conduct the final disposition of the decedent.
Find out more about legal requirements here.

The Vigil may be conducted at home.
The Funeral Mass is celebrated at the church.
The Committal is held at the cemetery.

Forms you may need

• Notice of Removal (if death occurs in a hospital, nursing home, or under hospice care).
• Authorization for Final Disposition (this is the burial permit).
• Death Certificate Application.

• Find contact information for your County Register of Deeds.
• Coroner/Medical Examiner

Though secondary, these rites are helpful in accompanying the mourners at times of transition through the various stages of facing the reality of death.

Prayers After Death

This rite is a model of prayer, which may be used in whole, or in part, or adapted for particular circumstances.  It consists of a brief reading, the Lord’s Prayer and some concluding prayers.  This rite may be used when the pastoral minister (i.e. priest, deacon, or layperson) first meets with the family following the death.

Gathering in the Presence of the Body

As the family gathers in the presence of the body for the first time, the pastoral minister is present to offer prayer and support.  This rite consists of a short passage from Scripture, a psalm, sprinkling with holy water, and the Lord’s Prayer.

Transfer of the Body to the Church or Place of Burial

This rite supports the family and friends as they prepare to take the body to the church or place of committal.  It consists of a brief Scripture verse, litany, the Lord’s Prayer and a concluding prayer lead by the pastoral minister.

Although the preference of the Catholic Church is for burial of the full body, the Church has permited cremation since 1963, except when it is evident that cremation was chosen for anti-Christian motives.  When cremation is chosen, one of the following options is used:

Cremation After the Funeral Liturgy

When cremation is chosen, the Church strongly prefers that the cremation take place after the liturgy and that the body of the deceased be present during the funeral rites.  The presence of the human body more clearly brings to mind the life and death of that person, and better expresses the values that the Church affirms in its funeral rites.  When cremation follows the liturgy, the funeral liturgy and other rites are celebrated as described under Funeral Rites.

Funeral Liturgy in the Presence of the Cremated Remains

The Holy See authorized the bishops of the United States to allow the celebration of a funeral liturgy in the presence of the cremated remains of the body. The cremated remains of the body are to be treated with the same respect given to the human body.  Prior to the funeral Mass or as a part of the entrance procession of the Mass, a worthy vessel, containing the cremated remains, is carried with reverence into the church.  The cremated remains are placed on a suitable stand or table in the place normally occupied by the coffin.  The funeral Mass begins with the sprinkling of holy water: however, a pall is not placed over the cremated remains.  The funeral Mass is celebrated as described above.  Following the prayer after Communion, the rite of final commendation takes place as usual.

Cremation and Committal Prior to the Funeral Liturgy

When the body is cremated and committed soon after death, the rites of final commendation and committal are used at the appropriate times, even though occurring prior to the funeral liturgy.  The vigil and other rites are also adapted, as necessary.  Following the committal, the family and friends of the deceased join the community in celebrating the funeral liturgy.  After Communion, the blessing is given and the people are dismissed.

Proper Interment of Cremated Remains

The Catholic Church teaches that cremated remains must be treated with the same respect as the body of the deceased.  The principle of respect for the cremated remains embraces the deeper belief in the individuality that each baptized person has before God.  Respectful final disposition of cremated remains involves interment or entombment in the consecrated grounds of a cemetery.  Burial options include a family grave marked with a traditional memorial or interment in an urn garden within the cemetery that is specially designed for burial of the urn with an appropriate stone or bronze memorial.  Options for entombment include placement of the urn in specially designed niches in a mausoleum or columbarium.  Practices such as scattering cremated remains on the ground or in a body of water, keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend, or burying cremated remains at home or in places other than the consecrated grounds of a cemetery are not in keeping with the reverent disposition of remains that the Church requires.  The human body should always be laid to rest with solemnity and dignity.  The Order of Christian Funerals requires that cremated remains be interred with the same solemnity and dignity as is afforded to the full body.

Catholic Cemetery

A Catholic Cemetery is a sacred place, and if a faithful Catholic is a long-time member of a parish with a cemetery, the presumption is that they will be buried there. Some parishes encourage keeping your burial plans and preferences on file for easy access when we are called to the Lord. If your parish does not have a cemetery of its own, the nearest Catholic cemetery is a good choice. A Catholic cemetery is the resting place for those who are baptized, who worshipped and lived their Christian faith, and in death complete their baptismal commitment at rest with their fellow companions in faith.
Your local Catholic cemetery provides many goods and services to help with your pre-planning. Contact us today to find out more.

Non-Catholic Cemeteries

A Catholic may choose to be buried in a cemetery other than a Catholic one. In such cases, the rite of committal includes a ritual for blessing the place of burial if it has not been previously blessed.