St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 834 S. Orange Blossom Tr., Apopka, FL 32703-6560 US - Why Have a Catholic Funeral?
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Why Have a Catholic Funeral?
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In the book of Ezekiel God shows the prophet a valley of dry bones. Ezekiel vision could offer no better vision of despair in the face of death; bones forgotten and hopeless. Is this what death looks like, a pile of dry bones?
No, God says, “Thus says the Lord God to those bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.” Ezekiel 37:5
St. Paul writes in 1 Cor. 12 “If one member suffers in the body of Christ, all members suffer. When one member of the faithful dies, the faithful are called to the ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love. Christian consolation is rooted in that hope that comes from the faith in the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are four reasons why Catholics have funerals. They are: console the living, commend the dead, give thanks to God for the gift of life, and proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection. The death of a loved one impacts us mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.
Mentally, planning a funeral and viewing the body allows us to believe the death has occurred. We begin to realize how our life has changed. Physically, the funeral process provides us with order and structure. Emotionally, it allows us to open our expression of our love and grief through memory sharing and the opportunity to say good-bye socially, family and friends will come to support us and give testimony of the relationship they had with our loved one. Spiritually, we are expressing our religious beliefs through our faith which is the source of strength.
What about Catholics and Cremation? In 1983 the Code of Canon Law allowed cremation. While cremation is still not as valued as burial of the body, the church is sensitive to pastoral, economic, geographic and family needs which make cremation an alternative choice. Cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium (niches designed to hold cremated remains most often found at cemeteries.) Thus, cremated remains are now allowed the full Funeral Rites of the Church.
For further information and cremated remains, or any other questions concerning funerals, support groups, or any questions you may have regarding grief and loss, please contact the Bereavement Ministry at the parish office.
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