The (Catholic) Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. At the funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession. At the rite of final commendation and farewell, the community acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God. (OCF, 6)

This short introduction to the Catholic funeral, taken from the Order of Christian Funerals, makes clear that a Catholic funeral is something very different than the “Celebration of Life” ceremonies that we see often today. These celebrations are primarily concerned with simply remembering or telling the story of the deceased and are commonly presented in a party-type atmosphere, often times after the deceased has already been cremated or buried. However, as Christians, we offer the Mass of Christian Burial to commend our loved ones to God’s merciful love, to witness to Christian hope in the resurrection and to turn always to God in times of crisis. 

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]

When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended that the cremation take place after the Funeral Liturgy. In this case, the Vigil for the Deceased and related rites and prayers, as well as the Funeral Liturgy are celebrated as they are provided in this ritual [OCF, 418].

One of the first decisions that needs to be made is whether the deceased will be buried or cremated. Cremation is allowed in the Catholic Church, so long as this option isn’t chosen to express anything contrary to Christian hope — particularly the hope in the resurrection of the body. Nonetheless, the Church’s tradition recommends burial over cremation. If cremation is chosen, whenever possible the cremation should take place only after the Christian funeral.

Whereas a Celebration-of-Life is akin to a remembrance party, a Christian Funeral is a rite which commends our departed loved ones to God. It is divided into three rites: 

1. Vigil (Wake) and Related Rites and Prayers: 

The vigil for the deceased is the principal rite celebrated by the Christian community in the time following death and before the funeral liturgy. Words of remembrance may be spoken at this time without any limitations to the number of speakers. The vigil may be held in the home of the deceased, in the funeral home or in the church.

2. Funeral Liturgy: 

The funeral Mass is the central celebration for the deceased. , the  it should be scheduled for a time that permits as many of the Christian community as possible to be present. The funeral Mass can be scheduled at any time, day or evening. Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on solemnities that are Holy Days of Obligation, on Thursday of Holy Week, during the Paschal Triduum, or on the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter time. 

3. Rite of Committal: 

The Rite of Committal at the conclusion of the funeral rites is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body or ashes of its deceased. Whenever possible, the Rite of Committal is to be celebrated at the site of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment. 

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].

Scattering ashes is never permitted. The Church’s preference is that Catholics be buried in the consecrated ground of a Catholic cemetery, but other cemeteries may be chosen. The point is that bodies need to be disposed of in a fitting and dignified way, consonant with the human dignity that should be afforded to everyone, made in the image of God as we are. Cremains must also be buried intact— they are not to be placed in the home, divided among family members, used to make jewelry, spread on land or at sea, etc.

Wakes, or viewings, are an opportunity for family and friends to come together, console each other and recall the impact the deceased had on them. This usually occurs at the funeral home. They find their origins in the Christian celebration of vigils, often associated with major events or feasts. 

The vigil for the dead is intended to be dedicated to prayer for the deceased. The Church supplies a liturgical rite for wakes, to be celebrated by a sacred minister of the Church, or it may be celebrated by a lay minister in some cases. This is a combination of readings, a brief homily or reflection, prayers and possibly music.

The wake is also a time to celebrate any popular devotions that might have been particularly significant in the faith life of the deceased — such as the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Another option for the wake is to celebrate the Office of the Dead. This comes from the Liturgy of the Hours — the Church’s daily prayer, composed of psalms, readings and prayers. 

Since the Catholic funeral rites do not usually envisage the opportunity for eulogies at the funeral Mass, the vigil is often a fitting time for those wishing to speak a word in memory or in honor of the deceased.