Funerals
At the funeral liturgy, the Church gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery.
Typically, a Catholic funeral mass will have the following structure:
- Introduction and greeting by the priest.
- Procession of priest, casket, and congregation into the church.
- Songs and prayers.
- Bible readings.
- Holy Communion (Mass)
- More prayers.
- Casket is walked back down the aisle and out of the church.