Perhaps you have clicked on this section because you are planning a funeral for a loved one. If so, our prayers are with you and all who are grieving. Please feel free to contact our Liturgy Director at the parish office: Carleen Murphy (cmurphy@stpatrickmchenry.org) or 815-385-0025. We will (in most cases) already been notified by the funeral home of the death of your loved one and are aware that you will be contacting us.
 
Perhaps you are merely advancing in years and thinking ahead to this and other end of life issues. If so we hope this information will be helpful and if you have further questions, please feel  to ask by using the above contact information.
 
Who may have a Roman Catholic funeral?
All baptized Catholics are entitled to a Roman Catholic funeral.  Catechumens (adults who are preparing for baptism in the Catholic Church), children who died before they could be baptized, and (in some circumstances) Christians of other faith traditions, may have a Roman Catholic funeral.
 
What does a Roman Catholic funeral look like?
There are three parts to a Roman Catholic funeral:
1)  Vigil for the Deceased  (occurs during the wake)
2)  Funeral liturgy in the form of Mass (Eucharistic Liturgy) or service of the Word
3)  Committal of the body into the ground or a crypt
 
What happens during the Vigil for the Deceased (wake)?
Family and friends come together, most often in the presence of the body, in a space large enough for visitors to greet one another.  Common choices are a funeral home or church building.  During this time a priest, deacon or lay minister will lead a brief prayer service with scripture readings, intercessions, possibly hymns or other music and the opportunity for reflecting on the life of the deceased. As this is the appropriate time for any eulogies, family and friends are often invited to participate by sharing stories of the deceased or to continue the story telling after the prayer service is concluded.
 
What is a funeral Mass like?
The funeral Mass follows the same pattern as a typical Mass with additional elements that draw attention to the place the deceased person had in the life of the mourners and most especially, the Christian belief in resurrection. Some of these elements are:

• Covering the casket with a pall or white cloth which signifies the deceased life in Christ through baptism. This is often done by family members;
• Sprinkling the casket with holy water, also a remembrance of baptism        

 Is there music at a funeral Mass?
Yes.  Special hymns are chosen to be part of the funeral Mass.  These speak to God’s presence even in times of sorrow, of our hope in the resurrection and other themes that allow the participants to pray in this difficult time. A parish music director, priest or other pastoral minister can help with the selection of appropriate and meaningful hymns.
 
What else happens at a funeral Mass?
Special readings from sacred scripture are proclaimed.  The Order of Christian Funerals offers a wide array of suggestions.  Typically, there are two readings taken from both or either the Old and New Testament (Hebrew and Christian scriptures,) a psalm (usually sung and also taken from the scriptures) and a Gospel reading.
 
Who may proclaim the readings?

• A baptized Christian usually proclaims the first and second reading. A cantor usually proclaims the psalm and an ordained minister (priest or deacon) proclaims the Gospel. Because the purpose of reading from scripture is to provide comfort to mourners as well as speak of Christ’s own life and death, it is important that the person who proclaims the scriptures be comfortable speaking in public at a microphone and also able to maintain their composure.  Otherwise, God’s words may go unheard.
• The Prayers of the Faithful or Universal Prayer are a series of intercessions taken from the Order of Christian Funerals
• The homily or sermon, offered by a priest or deacon connects the life of the deceased with Christ’s life and offers words of comfort and hope to mourners.
• The Eucharistic Prayer, a prayer said by the priest on behalf of all present, through which Roman Catholics believe the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ also includes a remembrance of the deceased and words of hope for the future, “when every tear will be wiped away.”
• Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ is offered to those who are present. People who normally receive Holy Communion in their parish Catholic church are welcome to receive.  Non‐ Catholics and people who have been away from the practice of the Roman Catholic faith are encouraged to spiritually unite with those who are receiving, praying for the day when all people will be able to gather at the Eucharistic table.  Lay parish ministers, family members or friends who are installed as ministers of Holy Communion may assist with distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ.

May anyone beside the priest or deacon speak of the deceased during the funeral Mass?
While this is most/more appropriate at the wake service/the graveside or the gathering afterwards, a short 5 minute eulogy by 1 person is allowed. The priest must see and approve what is to be said prior to the Mass.  This brief reflection on the life of the deceased occurs right after Communion.
 
When would one choose a service of the Word rather than a Mass?
Circumstances that would make this a necessary or preferable option are:

• When no priest is available to celebrate Mass;
• The majority of the mourners are not Roman Catholic or have not actively practiced the Roman Catholic faith in a very long time and would feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar ritual.  In this circumstance, however, consideration is also rightly given to the life of the person who died and what might most accurately reflect and respect their faith life and relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.

What considerations are made when the deceased is a Veteran?

• The casket may be covered with the American flag as it is brought into the church.  The flag is then respectfully removed and placed elsewhere and the casket is covered with a pall (large white cloth signifying baptism.)  The flag may be placed again on the casket at the end of the funeral before it is carried out of the church.
• Mention may be made in the homily and Prayers of the Faithful of the person’s military service.

Is there anything else that one might expect to see during a Roman Catholic funeral Mass?
Sometimes incense is used. It signifies our prayers “rising” and shows our special respect for the body of the deceased and the bread and wine that will be used to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
 
What happens at the graveside or mausoleum?
This is a very brief service consisting of prayers and a short reading from the scriptures.   A brief reflection might be offered by the priest, lay minister or family spokesperson, especially if some time has passed since the funeral Mass or Word service (as with spring interment after a winter death.)
 
May a Roman Catholic be cremated?
Yes.   Ideally, the cremation occurs after the funeral Mass so that the rituals which demonstrate the Roman Catholic respect for the human body may be used.  However, if the deceased is cremated prior to the funeral Mass, the rituals and words are slightly changed to remove references to the presence of the body. Because of the Roman Catholic belief in the resurrection of the body cremated remains are to be interred in their entirety, placed in the ground or a mausoleum.  Burial at sea is possible as long as the cremated remains are encased in a container.  Click here for more information on cremation.