St. Paul's Newman Center - NDSU at 1141 North University Drive, Fargo, ND 58102 US - Catholics & Cremation
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Catholic Funeral Rites Theology & Pastoral Practices For Catholic Funeral Rites Diocese of Fargo October 2006 Contents Theological Considerations for Catholic Funerals Cremation Preference for the presence of the body Presence of the body at the funeral liturgy Cremated remains at the funeral liturgy Final resting place for cremated remains The Parish Church – Place for the Funeral Liturgy Speaking in Remembrance and Eulogies Symbols in the Funeral Liturgy – Flags The death of a loved one is a time of grief and mourning. At such times, we recall that we “need to turn always to God in times of crisis.” At the same time, “In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity” (Order of Christian Funerals [OCF], 1, 7). Our funeral rites express our faith in the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. As we celebrate funerals, we commend the dead to God’s mercy, we plead for the forgiveness of their sins, we affirm and express the unity of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven, and we acknowledge the reality of separation from those we love (OCF, 6). As we prepare to celebrate funeral rites in our culture, there are questions which arise regarding the appropriate manner in which to express our faith, to pray for our deceased loved ones, and to remember their lives. There are three principal ritual moments in Christian funerals: the vigil, the funeral liturgy (either with a Mass or outside of Mass), and the rite of committal. The most common questions which arise surround the practice of cremation, the proper place for a funeral liturgy, the manner in which the Church makes remembrance of the deceased, and the use of symbols, other than Christian symbols, within the funeral liturgy. These reflections are intended to assist you to understand the Church’s funeral rituals as you plan a funeral liturgy. There will undoubtedly be further questions which arise as you read and reflect on these principles and practices. Your pastor will be able to visit with you to gain further understanding of this expression of your faith. Cremation While the practice of cremation has increased in our society, it is a recent development for Catholics. Until 1963, the practice of cremation was forbidden for Catholics. In the latest revision of Church law, The Code of Canon Law (CIC), cremation was permitted as long as it was not chosen as a way of denying the Catholic faith concerning the dignity of the human body, hope in the Resurrection, or belief in the immortality of the soul. Specifically, “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching” (CIC, 1176). While cremation is permitted by Church law, our belief in the Incarnation of Christ places a high value on the dignity of the human body. As such, the preference of the Church is that the body of the deceased be present at the funeral liturgy, even if cremation is chosen. This teaching is found in the Order of Christian Funerals, and is presented below. Highlighted sections indicate the clearest statement of the value of the presence of the body at the funeral liturgy. Preference for the presence of the body “The Christian faithful are unequivocally confronted by the mystery of life and death when they are faced with the presence of the body of one who has died. Moreover, the body which lies in death naturally recalls the personal story of faith, the loving family bonds, the friendships, and the words and acts of kindness of the deceased person. Indeed, the human body is inextricably associated with the human person, which acts and is experienced by others through that body. It is the body whose hands clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing” (OCF, 411). “The body of a deceased Catholic Christian is also the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the Bread of Life. Thus, the Church’s reverence for the sacredness of the human body grows out of a reverence and concern both natural and supernatural for the human person. The body of the deceased brings forcefully to mind the Church’s conviction that the human body is in Christ a temple of the Holy Spirit and is destined for future glory at the resurrection of the dead. This conviction in faith finds its expression in a sustained and insistent prayer that commends the deceased person to God’s merciful care so that his or her place in the communion of the just may be assured. A further expression is the care traditionally taken to prepare the bodies of the deceased for a burial that befits their dignity, in expectation of their final resurrection in the Lord” (OCF, 412). Presence of the body at the funeral liturgy “Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy 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, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites” (OCF, 413). “The Church’s teaching in regard to the human body as well as the Church’s preference for burial of the body should be a regular part of catechesis on all levels and pastors should make particular efforts to preserve this important teaching” (OCF, 414). “Sometimes, however, it is not possible for the body to be present for the Funeral Mass. When extraordinary circumstances make the cremation of a body the only feasible choice, pastoral sensitivity must be exercised by priests, deacons, and others who minister to the family of the deceased” (OCF, 411). “When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended that the cremation take place after the Funeral Liturgy…” (OCF, 418). Cremated remains at the funeral liturgy “By virtue of an indult granted by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Prot. 1589/96/L), the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy, including Mass, in the presence of the cremated remains of the body of a deceased person is permitted in the dioceses of the United States of America under the following conditions: a. That the cremation not be inspired by motives contrary to Christian teaching, in accordance with what is laid down by the Code of Canon Law (canon 1176 § 3). b. That each diocesan bishop will judge whether it is pastorally appropriate to celebrate the liturgy for the dead, with or without Mass, with the ashes present, taking into account the concrete circumstances in each individual case, and in harmony with the spirit and precise content of the current canonical and liturgical norms.” (OCF, 426). If the diocesan bishop has decided to allow the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy in the presence of the cremated remains of the deceased person, care must be taken that all is carried out with due decorum. The cremated remains of the body are to be placed in a worthy vessel. A small table or stand is to be prepared for them at the place normally occupied by the coffin. The vessel containing the cremated remains may be carried to its place in the entrance procession or may be placed on this table or stand sometime before the liturgy begins” (OCF, 427). “After the people have assembled, the Funeral Mass is celebrated as laid down in the Roman Missal and this ritual. Prayers which do not make reference to the honoring or burying of the body of the deceased should be chosen instead of those which have these themes. Following the prayer after Communion, the Rite of Final Commendation takes place. The alternate form for the dismissal is used (p. 396)” (OCF, 428). Obtaining Permission for the presence of Cremated Remains at the funeral liturgy. As indicated above, your priest or deacon will need to seek permission from the Bishop for cremated remains to be present within the funeral liturgy, if the circumstances call for this choice. This permission is not needed if cremation is chosen to take place after the funeral liturgy and before burial. All parish priests and deacons have been instructed and know how to contact the Bishop’s office for this permission, even if timing is an issue. Final resting place for cremated remains “The cremated remains of a body should 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 should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. Whenever possible, appropriate means for recording with dignity the memory of the deceased should be adopted, such as a plaque or stone which records the name of the deceased” (OCF, 417). Therefore, in the Diocese of Fargo, all cremated remains must be buried in a cemetery or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. May Columbaria (for cremated remains) be incorporated into Churches? Ecclesiastical law ordinarily does not allow the burial of corpses in churches.' In a December 13, 1927 response, the Congregation for the Council stated that cadaver when used in canon 1214 of the 1917 Code of Canon law, simply means "the remains". In addition, when canon 1205.2 prohibits burying cadavers in churches, "Here, too, the word cadaver includes bones or ashes." Therefore, Columbaria are not to be incorporated into parish church buildings. In addition to the prohibition in canon law, the possibility of closing parish churches and demolishing or selling church buildings containing Columbaria provide particular concerns. The Parish Church – Place for the Funeral Liturgy The funeral vigil “may be celebrated in the home of the deceased, in the funeral home, parlor, or chapel of rest, or in some other suitable place. It may also be celebrated in the church, but at a time well before the funeral liturgy.” (OCF, 54). The second rite, the funeral liturgy, is ordinarily celebrated within the parish church. This practice is specified both in Canon law and the Order of Christian Funerals. For a funeral liturgy within Mass, “the funeral Mass is ordinarily celebrated in the parish Church” (OCF, 155, cf CIC, 1177 §1). “The funeral liturgy outside Mass is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church, but may also be celebrated in the home of the deceased, a funeral home, parlor, chapel of rest, or cemetery chapel” (OCF, 179). Speaking in Remembrance and Eulogies Families of the deceased sometimes ask about saying a few words in remembrance during the funeral liturgy. The option to speak in remembrance is provided for in the funeral rites of the Church. The best time for this, specified by the ritual, is during the vigil, the first of the three rites involved in a Christian funeral. The instructions for celebrating a funeral vigil say, “at some other suitable time during the vigil, a member of the family or a friend of the deceased may speak in remembrance of the deceased” (OCF, 62). Sometimes families will ask about giving a eulogy during the funeral rites. A eulogy is words given in praise and honor of the deceased. While we may speak in remembrance of a person at the vigil, the funeral liturgy is primarily an expression of faith in Christ and our hope of resurrection in him. The Order of Christian Funerals is quite specific: “A brief homily based on the readings is always given after the gospel reading at the funeral liturgy, and may also be given after the readings at the vigil service; but there is never to be a eulogy” (OCF, 27). A difficulty which arises here is that sometimes the rites of the Church are not followed. A priest or deacon is faithful in following the rites of the Church when he reminds you that a eulogy is not part of the ritual. It is important to visit with him about how you may take a time for remembrance within the vigil instead of at the funeral liturgy itself. Symbols in the Funeral Liturgy – Flags At times, the deceased has been a member of the armed forces of the United States of America, perhaps even having given their life in the service of their country. Others are members of organizations that have particular signs and symbols. While they have value in themselves, they are not specifically Christian symbols. The military, or some other organizations, may have a way of honoring their dead through draping the coffin with the flag or placing other symbols upon the coffin. The Church does not seek to disregard these marks of honor and service. At the same time, our faith has its own inherent symbolism. For the baptized, the primary sign of incorporation into the Body of Christ is the baptismal garment. At a funeral, the white funeral pall is this sign of belonging to Christ. While membership in other organizations may be important to the life of a believer, membership in Christ is our primary relationship. Because of this, the Order of Christian Funerals is very specific about symbols within the funeral liturgy: “Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. Any other symbols, for example, national flags, or flags or insignia of associations, have no place in the funeral liturgy” (OCF, 38). “Any national flags or the flags or insignia of associations to which the deceased belonged are to be removed from the coffin at the entrance of the church. They may be replaced after the coffin has been taken from the church” (OCF, 132). The primacy of Christian symbolism should not be a difficulty for the believer. Our respect for God and the universal baptismal call, shared among many nations, should be afforded at least the same respect as any other symbol or association. Prepared by: Office of Liturgy - Diocese of Fargo 5201 Bishops Blvd, Suite A Fargo, ND 58104-7605
Theological Considerations for Catholic Funerals