How do I arrange a funeral in the Catholic Church?

When you come to arrange a funeral, you may have had recent contact with your local Catholic parish in connection with the sickness of your loved one, or it may be a long time since you or the deceased had any contact with the Church. Either way, be assured that the local Catholic priest and community will welcome you and do all they can to help you with the funeral arrangements.

Having said that, it is probably best in the first instance to arrange the funeral through your undertaker. This is because it is necessary to co-ordinate the availability of the priest, the Church (if required) and the cemetery or crematorium.

There is no longer any prohibition on Catholics being cremated. Assuming that a decision has already been made between cremation and burial, the main choice you will need to make is whether to have a funeral Mass at the Church beforehand or not. If in doubt, go and talk to your parish priest about this, and do go and see him anyway, or ask him to come and visit you at home, to discuss the details of the service.

A non-Catholic spouse who dies can have a Catholic funeral, if during their lifetime they showed a particular attachment to the parish of the Catholic rather than the parish of their own church and/or requested a Catholic funeral.

The undertaker should be aware (but may need reminding!) that no firm arrangements should be made for the funeral until he / she has spoken to your priest. Especially in these days when priests are fewer than they used to be, your priest may have other arrangements which he cannot change for the time you would like the funeral, or the Church may already be booked for something else.

In planning the service, bear in mind that secular music and readings are not normally permitted in a Mass, and that the homily is primarily an exposition of Catholic faith in the Resurrection rather than a tribute to your loved one. If you wish someone to speak briefly about the deceased, this is more appropriate after Holy Communion, while secular music or readings should be left to the service at the cemetery or crematorium.

To be put in contact with your nearest Catholic Church, the Catholic Enquiry Office of England and Wales is there to help (020 8458 3316; enquiries@life4seekers.co.uk).

For general information about a Catholic understanding of life after death please click here:

For remembrance click here