DIOCESE OF HOUMA-THIBODAUX
Houma, Louisiana
Diocesan Policy
Protocol for Funerals Celebrated
at Parish Churches and Funeral Homes
Introduction
The time of death is usually fraught with emotion and can also be confusing for those who have been close to the deceased. It is important that those making the funeral arrangements have the immediate assistance of the priest and other parish ministers in planning well the funeral rites, in accord with the church's teaching and practice.
Procedure
At the moment of death, the deceased person's family or the funeral director should contact the pastor of the deceased as soon as possible. The funeral director should also have a telephone number where he can contact the pastor outside regular office hours. Arrangements are to be made by the family in consultation with both the pastor or his delegate and the funeral director. The date and time of the funeral liturgy are to be approved by the pastor or his delegate before being set by the funeral home. If the pastor or his delegate is unable to celebrate the liturgy, it is his responsibility to find a replacement and not the funeral director's responsibility. Also, if the deceased person was Catholic but was not affiliated with any particular parish, the pastor of the church of domicile (the parish territory in which the person's residence is located) is responsible for the funeral liturgy.
According to Canon 1177, "As a rule the funeral rites for any of the faithful departed must be celebrated in his or her own parish church [§1].
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 [§2]."
Therefore, family members of the deceased are strongly encouraged to celebrate the funeral liturgy in the parish church, since it is the usual place for the celebration of the sacraments and other sacred rites. The body of the deceased member of the faithful should be brought to the Eucharistic sacrifice one final time in order that the whole church may pray that he or she who ate the bread of eternal life may now share in the eternal life of heaven. The funeral Mass should never be considered an accessory rite for the deceased but rather it should be considered, as it truly is, the heart of the funeral rites.
"When Mass cannot be celebrated, the second form of the funeral liturgy may be used and a Mass for the deceased should be celebrated, if possible, at a later time" (Order of Christian Funerals, 128). This rite is intended for the use of priests when liturgical law prohibits a priest from celebrating the funeral Mass or when the priest is unable to celebrate the funeral rites and a deacon conducts them (d. OCF, 178-182). If the funeral liturgy outside of Mass is celebrated, it is encouraged that it be held in the parish church rather than the funeral home. In exceptional circumstances, if a Mass of Christian Burial is to be celebrated in the funeral home, permission is to be given by the Bishop or his delegate.
While every Catholic has a right to choose another church for the funeral rites, the pastor of the church of burial as well as the deceased person's pastor are to be notified as a matter of practicality and courtesy to his or her pastor. A Catholic also has the right to choose another priest or deacon other than the deceased person's pastor to celebrate the funeral liturgy. If a priest or deacon other than the pastor of the parish of the deceased is to celebrate the liturgy, whether in the church or at the funeral home, that priest or deacon must obtain prior permission from the pastor of the deceased or his delegate and send the record of the death to the parish of the deceased so that an entry is made in the parish death register (Can. 1182).
Cremation
Even though cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not have the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites. Nevertheless, the cremated remains of a body are to be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. The cremated remains are to be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering the cremated remains on the water, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased is not the reverent disposition that the Church requires in anticipation of the body's Resurrection (cf. OCF 413, 417).
Conclusion
This procedure is to provide priests with a common protocol in planning funeral liturgies with families. Priests along with the parish community have the solemn duty to bury and pray for the dead and should rejoice to carry out these corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
