At a Catholic funeral the community gathers to say farewell to the person who has died and entrust that person to God’s loving care.

When a Christian dies, the community gathers for a funeral. They say farewell to the person who has died and entrust that person to God’s loving care. They praise and thank God for the gift of a life which has been returned to its Creator. They remember with joy and pain what that person has meant to them.

Catholic Funeral rites are:

• Vigil for the Deceased – The Vigil may be quite informal, where the family and friends of the deceased person pray in the presence of the body in the home, in the Chapel of the Funeral Directors, or in the parish Church on the night before the Funeral Liturgy. The Vigil would include prayers and readings and an opportunity for a relative or friend of the deceased person to give some "words of remembrance" of the one who has died. The Vigil may be celebrated on the night before the funeral liturgy.
• Funeral Liturgy – The Funeral Liturgy is the central liturgical celebration. It is usually celebrated in the church, and may be a Mass with the final commendation, or a Liturgy of the Word followed by prayers and a final commendation. The funeral liturgy is held whenever is appropriate for family and friends to gather.
• The Rite of Committal – This is the final act of care for the deceased person. It may be held at the cemetery or in the Crematorium Chapel. This Rite may also be used for burial at sea. The rite of committal (burial or cremation) usually follows the funeral liturgy.

Resources for Preparing a Catholic Funeral

A workbook called The Funeral is available to help people prepare the funeral liturgy of a loved one or for someone to indicate their wishes regarding their own funeral.

Parish Columbarium: Images

The Columbarium provides a sacred space in which the cremated remains of loved ones are placed. It is intended to locate ours on the outside of the south end wall of St Luke the Evangelist Church; it is a tranquil setting, that will have a garden seat, which will enable families and friends to pray, reflect and remember their loved ones.

The Columbarium will be available to parishioners, their families and those who have long-established ties with the Blackburn South Catholic Parish. A suitable engraved bronze plaque for each niche, consistent with the ones currently on the Memorial Wall, will be arranged through the Parish Office and financed by the family.

Please contact the Parish Office for further information.

pdf Everbody has a Story to be told - Farewell in death (101 KB)

default Final resting place: Vatican releases instruction on burial, cremation

default Vatican releases instruction on burial, cremation - Final resting place