Funerals

• The priest’s vestments color—The clergy usually wears white vestments. White represents Easter, weddings, baptisms, and other happiness, joy, and victory events. This is not only a time for grieving over the loss of a loved one but also a celebration of their entrance through death into life eternal. The church also allows for violet or black vestments to be worn. 
• Music - The hymns and songs generally selected are light and joyful. Easter music proclaiming the Lord’s resurrection is appropriate. 
• Bible passages - More than seventy scriptural readings are available for a funeral liturgy. There are two options. The first is from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the gospels. The second option is from either the Old or New Testament and one from the gospels.
• The Easter Candle—This candle, placed in the sanctuary for fifty days after Easter, symbolizes Christ living among us who has conquered sin and death. It is carried in a procession or placed before the casket as a reminder that the deceased shares in Jesus' victory over the powers of darkness. 
• The sprinkling of the casket - The priest sprinkles holy water over the casket to remind the deceased first baptism. 
• Incensing of the body - In recognition of the Christian belief that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and will one day be resurrected by God, the priest walks around the casket and incenses the body. This is a sign of our respect, a symbol of the community’s prayers for the deceased rising. 
• Holy Communion - The church encourages those Catholics who are spiritually prepared, to share in Holy Communion.
• Placing of the Pall—At the beginning of the liturgy, a funeral pall is draped over the coffin. This pall symbolizes the garment given at baptism and our future life in Christ. It also signifies that all are equal in God's eyes. Family or friends are encouraged to drape this. 
• Reconciliation - Contact the priest in advance if special arrangements need to be made for confession. 
• Funeral homily and words of remembrance—The priest or deacon will give a brief homily based on the scriptural readings. After the communion prayer and before the final commendation, a friend or family member may speak in remembrance of the deceased. 
• Final commendation and committal - The liturgy of final farewell or commendation and committal is the last ceremony after Mass and at the cemetery. 

RESOURCES:

• Choices for Readings and Prayers of the Faithful for Funeral Mass EN (Word).
• Lecturas bíblicas para un Funeral SP (PDF)
• Loss of a child through stillbirth or miscarriage EN (Word).
• St. Matthew Cemetery Information