Journeying Together

At baptism the Christian community welcomes its members. This same community needs to be ready to celebrate the end of a member's journey in this world and pray for their eternal joy in the resurrection.  ‘When a member of Christ’s Body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love’ (Office for Christian Funerals 8). This ministry happens formally and informally.

Pastoral Leadership

Priests are invited to ‘lead the community to a deeper appreciation of its role’ by instruction on the meaning of death and on the rites for the dead.   (OCF 9) 

They call the community to accompany the mourners not just at the time of death but in the months following.   It is the faith of the Christian community which ‘brings support and strength to those who suffer the loss of those whom they love.’  (OCF 9)

Priests are invited to be sensitive to the needs of the mourners. They are to be particularly mindful of those ‘who are not members of the Catholic Church, of Catholics who are not involved in the life of the Church’.  (OCF 12)

Funerals often highlight family tensions and ‘can begin the process of reconciling differences.’    (OCF 12) 

Priests are urged to be alert to each situation and ready to support the family in reconciliation.

Community Support: The Funeral Liturgies

The community needs to be actively engaged in the preparation and celebration of the funeral rites.  This presumes that members have access to the rites and know them well enough to open them up to the mourners.  Liturgy committees could well have a sub group trained in the funeral rites and able to assist families in this task.

It is the faith of the Christian community which brings support. ‘The community’s principal involvement in the ministry of consolation is expressed in its active participation in the celebration of the funeral rites.’    (OCF 11)

Unfortunately, funerals are seen increasingly as private family affairs with the parish community often excluded. Funeral Directors tend to dictate times and arrangements which may inhibit full and active participation of the community. Funeral liturgies need to be scheduled at convenient times. In many parishes this is the daily Mass.

As in all liturgies the contribution of a variety of ministers is assumed. 

Readers, musicians, servers, ministers of communion, ushers are all involved.  Musicians need to study the rites and use suitable music for funerals.  Familiar hymns, used at Sunday liturgies may sometimes be appropriate. 

Music evokes strong feelings. ‘The music at funerals should support, console, and uplift the participants and should help to create in them a spirit of hope in Christ’s victory over death and in the Christian’s share in that victory.’    (OCF 31)

Community Support  - Daily Living

Many parishes support people through food banks or by visiting.  Acts of kindness and assistance with the routine tasks of daily living are less formal ways of giving consolation. This can allow a family space to prepare the funeral.

The OCF envisages this help continuing beyond the immediate time of death.  Often, a listening ear or a helping hand is needed in the months following the funeral. ‘'The church calls each member of Christ’s Body . . . to participate in the ministry of consolation: to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn.’  (OCF 8)

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This article was originally published in  ‘Christian Funerals’. ©  Diocese of Parramatta.  2004, 2007. Reprinted with permission.