Order of Service for a Catholic Funeral Mass

A Catholic funeral Mass has more fixed structure than most services, which is good news for a family planning one: much of it is decided for you. What you choose are the readings, the music, and who carries them out.

The full order

1. Prelude
2. Reception of the body — the placing of the pall.
3. Entrance procession and opening hymn
4. Opening prayer
5. First reading — usually Old Testament. Reference and reader.
6. Responsorial psalm — sung or spoken.
7. Second reading — usually a New Testament letter.
8. Gospel reading — proclaimed by the celebrant or deacon.
9. Homily — the celebrant.
10. Prayers of the faithful
11. Liturgy of the Eucharist — offertory and communion hymns.
12. Final commendation and farewell
13. Recessional hymn

What the parish decides, not the family

The shape of the Mass is not negotiable, and several details are set by the parish. Ask early about three in particular:

• Eulogies. Many dioceses do not permit a eulogy within the Mass itself. Where that is the case, words of remembrance are usually offered at the vigil the evening before, or at the reception afterwards. Do not print one into the Mass without asking.
• Music. Secular songs are commonly not allowed inside the liturgy, however much they meant to the person. They may be welcome at the graveside or the repast.
• Readings. Chosen from an approved lectionary. The parish will usually hand you a selection to choose from.

The Rite of Committal

The burial at the cemetery is a separate rite, held after the Mass. Some families print it on the back panel of the same program; others hand out nothing at the graveside. Both are normal. If you print it, keep it to a few lines — the committal is short by design.

Thirteen entries needs a Bi-Fold at minimum, and sits more comfortably on a Tri-Fold or booklet where the printed order of service is uncapped.

The three parts of a Catholic funeral

The Mass is the center of a Catholic funeral, but it is one of three rites, and each may have its own page in the program.

• The Vigil — often called the wake. Held the evening before, at the funeral home or the church. Prayers, a reading, and the place where family and friends usually share memories.
• The Funeral Mass — the order set out above.
• The Rite of Committal — at the cemetery, after the Mass.

Where the family takes part

The celebrant leads the Mass, but several roles are regularly given to family and friends. Ask the parish which of these it offers:

• Placing the pall on the casket at the reception of the body.
• Reading the first and second readings. The Gospel is read by the priest or deacon.
• Reading the prayers of the faithful.
• Bringing up the gifts at the offertory.
• Serving as pallbearers.

Name each person in the program beside the part they are taking. Choose readers who are comfortable reading aloud in a large room, and give them the text a day or two ahead.

Readings families choose most often

• First reading: Wisdom 3:1-9, Isaiah 25:6-9, or Job 19:23-27.
• Psalm: Psalm 23 or Psalm 27.
• Second reading: Romans 8:31-39, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, or 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.
• Gospel: John 14:1-6, John 11:17-27, Matthew 5:1-12, or John 6:37-40.

The parish will give you its own list, and the final choice is made with the priest. Print the reference and the reader, not the full passage.

How long it runs

About an hour. A funeral held without a Mass, which some parishes call a funeral liturgy outside Mass, runs closer to forty minutes because there is no Liturgy of the Eucharist. If many of the people attending are not Catholic, ask the priest which of the two he would suggest.

Common questions

Should the program explain communion to guests who are not Catholic? Many parishes like a short line in the program. Wording varies from parish to parish, so ask the office for the sentence they prefer rather than writing your own.

Can a Mass be held if the person was cremated? In most dioceses, yes. Ask the parish how it handles the placing of the remains, because the opening of the Mass is worded differently.