A Catholic funeral is the Church’s prayer for a person who has died and her comfort for those who mourn. It usually has three parts: the Vigil for the Deceased (the wake), the Funeral Liturgy (most often a Funeral Mass), and the Rite of Committal at the cemetery. In the funeral, the Church “commends the dead to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins,” and proclaims faith in the resurrection.
This guide walks through the order of a Catholic Funeral Mass step by step, explains what happens at the wake and the burial, and answers practical questions about eulogies, cremation and planning.
The three parts of a Catholic funeral
| Part | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Vigil for the Deceased (wake) | Funeral home, home or church, usually the evening before | Readings, prayers, often the Rosary; time for family memories |
| Funeral Liturgy | Church | Funeral Mass (or a Liturgy of the Word outside Mass) |
| Rite of Committal | Cemetery or mausoleum | Final prayers at the grave or place of interment |
The Catechism describes these as “three types of funeral celebrations, corresponding to the three places in which they are conducted” (Catechism 1686).
The order of a Catholic Funeral Mass
1. Reception at the church
The priest greets the family and the body at the door of the church. He sprinkles the coffin with holy water, recalling the person’s baptism, and a white pall is placed over the coffin, recalling the white baptismal garment and showing that all are equal before God. A crucifix or a Bible may be placed on the coffin. The procession enters with an opening hymn.
2. Liturgy of the Word
- First reading (Old Testament, or from Revelation in Easter Time)
- Responsorial psalm (often Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd”)
- Second reading (New Testament)
- Gospel
- Homily: the priest proclaims the hope of the resurrection; it is not a eulogy, though he may speak of the person’s life of faith.
- Universal Prayer (Prayers of the Faithful) for the deceased, the mourners and all the dead.
Readers are often family members or friends. See Catholic funeral readings for the full list.
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist
The gifts of bread and wine may be brought up by family members. The Mass continues as usual: “When the celebration takes place in church the Eucharist is the heart of the Paschal reality of Christian death” (Catechism 1689). Catholics who are prepared may receive Communion; others may come forward for a blessing or remain in prayer.
4. Words of remembrance (optional)
After Communion, a family member or friend may speak briefly in remembrance of the deceased, if the diocese permits. Longer eulogies are better given at the wake or the reception.
5. Final Commendation and Farewell
The priest invites everyone to pray in silence. He incenses the coffin and may sprinkle it again with holy water, while a Song of Farewell is sung. He then prays the prayer of commendation, entrusting the person to God’s mercy. This is “the last farewell by which the Christian community greets one of its members before his body is brought to its tomb” (Catechism 1690).
6. Procession to the place of committal
The coffin is carried out while the ancient antiphon In paradisum (“May the angels lead you into paradise”) or another hymn is sung.
The Rite of Committal
At the cemetery, the priest or deacon blesses the grave (if it has not been blessed), reads a short Scripture verse, and prays the prayer of committal, entrusting the body to the earth “in sure and certain hope of the resurrection.” The Our Father, a final prayer and a blessing follow. A traditional prayer for all who rest in the cemetery:
O God, by whose mercy the souls of the faithful find rest, grant to all thy servants here and elsewhere, that have slept in Christ, the full pardon of their sins; that being discharged from all guilt, they may rejoice with thee for all eternity: through the same Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
When can a Funeral Mass be celebrated?
A Funeral Mass may be celebrated on any day except Holy Thursday, the Easter Triduum, the Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, and solemnities that are holy days of obligation. On those days a funeral takes place without Mass, and a Mass for the deceased is offered later.
Cremation
The Church prefers burial of the body but permits cremation, as long as it is not chosen for reasons contrary to Christian faith. Ideally the body is present for the Funeral Mass and cremation follows. The ashes must be treated with the same respect as the body and buried or entombed in a cemetery or other sacred place; they should not be scattered, divided among relatives or kept at home (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ad resurgendum cum Christo, 2016).
How to plan a Catholic funeral
- Call the funeral home and the parish. The parish will schedule the funeral and the priest.
- Meet with the priest or bereavement minister to choose readings, hymns, readers and gift bearers.
- Prepare the Prayers of the Faithful. See Prayers of the Faithful for a funeral Mass and how to write Prayers of the Faithful for a funeral.
- Choose a brief word of remembrance, if permitted.
- Arrange Mass intentions for the deceased after the funeral. See Mass intentions for the dead.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Catholic Funeral Mass?
About 45 minutes to an hour; the Rite of Committal adds about 15 minutes.
Can a non-Catholic have a Catholic funeral?
A non-Catholic spouse or relative of a Catholic, or a baptized Christian with no minister of their own, may sometimes receive a Catholic funeral with the bishop’s permission. Ask the parish.
Can a person who died by suicide have a Catholic funeral?
Yes. The Church prays for those who have taken their own lives and entrusts them to God’s mercy (Catechism 2283).
What should I wear to a Catholic funeral?
Modest, dark or subdued clothing is customary.
More funeral pages
- Catholic eulogy: rules and examples
- Catholic funeral hymns
- Catholic funeral readings
- Catholic funeral prayers
- Prayers for deceased loved ones
- Catholic prayers for the dead
- How many Prayers of the Faithful at a funeral
Texts and sources
- Order of Christian Funerals (English edition, 1989): structure of the vigil, funeral liturgy, final commendation and committal (described, with short quotations).
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1686, 1689–1690 and 2283.
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo (2016).
- Prayer for those buried in the cemetery: Patrick F. Moran, The Catholic Prayer Book and Manual of Meditations (1883), public domain (Wikisource).