Funerals
Part 4 Liturgical Issues
Chapter f41 Funeral Liturgies
Preliminary Questions
BY DAVID GIBSON
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
NEWARK With the bodies of so many victims of the World Trade Center attacks lost without a trace, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark is taking the extraordinary step of allowing families to inter an urn or casket containing only mementos of the missing person. After the normal memorial Mass, the receptacle could then be buried in a Catholic cemetery, just like a coffin with a body.
"People don't have a body, but they want closure, so we've decided to allow this," archdiocesan spokesman James Goodness said.
So far it appears that the Newark Archdiocese, which covers Essex, Union, Bergen and Hudson counties, is the only one in the region granting the unusual dispensation...
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/page1/ledger/1496fd3.html
Rites Before Death
Rites at the Time of Death
1. The Apostolic Pardon "At the Conclusion of the sacrament of penance or the penitential rite, the priest may give the Apostolic Pardon for the dying, using one of the following:
A. Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May He open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy. R. Amen.
B. By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen."
Rites Immediately after Death
Planning the Funeral Rites
1. The proper place for the funeral rites Canon 1177 states that funeral rites are permitted in the parish church or some other church. The legal definition of "church" must be kept in mind (canon 1214). A chapel in a funeral parlor is not a church. For funeral rites to be licitly celebrated in a funeral parlor or other location (whether Mass is celebrated or not) a dispensation of the diocesan bishop (or his delegate) is needed. Dispensations are given for particular cases. A general dispensation cannot be given because a bishop cannot validly enact a general diocesan policy contrary to higher law (Canon 135, 2). The bishop could, however, validly delegate his power for this dispensation to the vicar general or even to pastors in general, presuming he would have reason to do so. (This paragraph is adapted from private comment by a canonist who is expert in liturgical law.)
2. Liturgy planning The family of the deceased
Old Testament Readings
Job 19:1, 23-27
I know that my Redeemer lives.
Wisdom 3:1-9 or 3:1-6,9
He accepted them as a holocaust.
Wisdom 4:7-15
A blameless life is a ripe of old age.
Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9
The Lord God will destroy death for ever.
Lamentations 3:17-26
It is good to wait in silence for the Lord God to save.
Daniel 12:1-3
Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake.
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
It is good and holy to think of the dead rising again.
New Testament Readings
Acts 10:34-43 or 10:34-36, 42-43
God has appointed Jesus to judge everyone, alive and dead.
Romans 5:5-11
Having been justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's anger through him.
Romans 5:17-21
Where sin increased, there grave abounded all the more.
Romans 6:3-9 or 6:3-4, 8-9
Let us walk in newness of life.
Romans 8:14-23
We groan while we wait for the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
Who can ever come between us and the love of Christ?
Romans 14:7-9, 10b-12
Whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 24b-28 or 15:20-23
All people will be brought to life in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Death is swallowed up in victory.
2 Corinthians 4:14 -- 5:1
What is seen is transitory; what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
We have an everlasting home in heaven.
Philippians 3:20-21
Jesus will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours to be like his glorious body.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We shall stay with the Lord for ever.
2 Timothy 2:8-13
If we have died with him, we shall live with him.
1 John 3:1-2
We shall see God as he really is.
1 John 3:14-16
We have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters.
Revelation 14:13
Happy are those who die in the Lord.
Revelation 20:11 -- 21:1
The dead have been judged according to their works.
Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
There will be no more death.
Gospel Readings
Matthew 5:1-12a
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me .. and I will give you rest.
Matthew 25:1-13
Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.
Matthew 25:31-46
Come, you whom my Father has blessed.
Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 or 15:33-39
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Luke 7:11-17
Young man, I say to you, arise.
Luke 12:35-40
Be prepared.
Luke 23:33, 39-43
Today you will be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53, 24:1-6a or 23:44-46, 50, 52-53
Father, I put my life in your hands.
Luke 24:13-35 or 24:13-16, 28-35
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory!
John 5:24-29
Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from death to life.
John 6:37-40
All who believe in the Son will have eternal life and I will raise them to life again on the last day.
John 6:51-58
All who eat this bread will live for ever; and I will raise them up on the last day.
John 11:17-27 or 11:21-27
I am the resurrection and the life.
John 11:32-45
Lazarus, come out.
John 12:23-28 or 12:23-26
If a grain of wheat falls ont he ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.
John 14:1-6
There are many rooms in my Father's house.
John 17:24-26
Father, I want those you have given to me to be with me where I am.
John 9:17-18, 25-30
Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The Showing
Reception of the Body into the Church
Eucharist
Final Commendation
Procession to Grave Site
Burial
Pastoral Care after the Burial