Funeral Rite
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. — Matthew 5:4We are never ready for the death of a loved one. At Saint Bonaventure Church it is our hope to ease your burden by offering the following information to help you plan the liturgy for your loved one who has passed to eternal life. When a loved one dies the parish priests and staff are available to assist you in making preparations for the Catholic funeral. Please call the St. Bonaventure parish office at 714-846-3359 ext. 0. Before setting a date for the funeral, it is important to first call the office to check availability.
Catholic Funerals
The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis. —Order of Christian Funerals, #7Every Catholic, unless specifically excluded by the norms of law, is entitled to the Church’s ministry at the time of death.
A child who dies before baptism or a stillborn or miscarried child may be given Catholic Funeral Rites if the parents intended to have the child baptized.
The Church encourages the burial of Catholics in Catholic cemeteries. Burial in the blessed ground of a Catholic cemetery is a sign of baptismal commitment and gives witness, even in death, to faith in Christ’s resurrection. To foster and respect family bonds, non-Catholic members of Catholic families may be interred in a Catholic cemetery. For information about Catholic Cemeteries visit www.occem.org.
Cremation
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 has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teachings. —Code of Canon Law, 1176Cremated remains should be treated with the same respect given to the remains of a human body, and should be entombed or buried, whether in the ground or at sea. The scattering of cremated remains on the ground or on the sea or keeping any portion of the remains in individual containers as a remembrance is not the reverent final disposition that the Church directs. It should be noted that burial at sea of cremated remains differs from scattering. An appropriate and worthy container, heavy enough to be sent to its final resting place, may be dropped into the sea.
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From Death to Life
Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. — Matthew 28:5-6The model for Catholic funerals is the Easter journey of Jesus Christ from his death to his resurrection. Following his example, we are encouraged to celebrate the funeral in three stages: Vigil, Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal.
Vigil for the Deceased
The Vigil is often the time when family, friends and members of the parish community gather for prayer and support in remembrance of their loved one.
Funeral Mass
The Funeral Mass is the central liturgy of the Christian funeral. The Funeral Mass, at which a priest presides, takes place in the parish church, normally on the day of the burial. The Eucharist, for Catholics, is part of the Mass.
The Funeral Liturgy Outside Mass
The Funeral Liturgy Outside Mass is celebrated when a Mass is not possible or not deemed appropriate. Pastoral advice from the priest is essential in determining what is appropriate.
Rite of Committal
The Rite of Committal is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. It is celebrated at the graveside, mausoleum or cemetery chapel, by a priest, deacon, or qualified lay person.