No Formal Services Will Take Place, But They Should

I've already made arrangements for TWO Requiems when I pass, and I hope others will have Masses offered for my soul. One is an NO in my Parish Church, and the other is a TLM. And, the NO is to be a Requiem not a 'Mass of the Resurrection'!

From Catholic Stand

By Dom Cingoranelli

“At his request, no formal services will take place.” If you read the obituaries from time to time, you may notice a statement to this effect in many of them. In fact, you may see it in the obituaries of people you knew to be Catholics. Recently I talked with a deacon who was on his way to a graveside service for a departed Catholic. We both wondered aloud why it seems so many Catholics choose not to have a funeral Mass upon their passing. Why wouldn’t you want the blessings available through the most powerful prayer of the Church?

The Mass–The Ultimate “Formal Service”

The eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass is “the summit and source of all worship and Christian life.” (Can. 897) Indeed, it is “the center of the whole Christian life” (GIRM, No. 16) Jesus instituted it at the Last Supper when He said to “do this in remembrance of me.” (cf. 1 Cor 11:23-26) The Mass has infinite value. When we bring our offerings and petitions to Mass, we are praying with the entire Church. We’re combining our prayers to God with those of all the living and the dead, uniting them with Jesus Christ crucified.

At the consecration, all the saints and angels are present. Our Blessed Mother is there, very near to the priest who is saying the Mass. The holy souls in purgatory are there as well. Jesus Himself is there, taking the place of the priest at that moment. If we could really see all that is happening and all those present in the sanctuary, we’d be truly amazed. All the more reason for a Catholic to have formal services, including at least a funeral Mass, upon death.

Funeral Rites and Praying for the Dead

Through its funeral rites, including the Mass for the Dead, the Church commends the soul of the departed to God’s mercy. In this day and age, of course, many Catholics and other Christians believe that most everyone’s going straight to heaven anyway. I’ve attended more than one funeral Mass over the years where a member of the clergy gave what sounded like an informal canonization to the deceased during the homily.

But we can’t know for sure the state of a loved one’s soul at their passing. That’s why we should pray for them, why we should offer a Mass for them. It’s why every Catholic should ask others to pray for them, and insist on the funeral rites of the Church upon their departure from this life. Take advantage of the graces available to you through the Church. Insist on “formal services” within the structure of the Church’s funeral rites.

Your Right to a Catholic Funeral Mass

The Order of Christian Funerals encourages the celebration of a funeral Mass when a Catholic dies. And Canon law states, “Deceased members of the Christian faithful must be given ecclesiastical funerals according to the norm of law.” (Can. 1176 §1). It’s your right as a Catholic to have a funeral Mass when you die. Don’t give up that right. 

Unfortunately, in this day and age, some relatives of departed Catholics may have fallen away from the faith. To them, what’s important is to “celebrate the life” of John or Jane, have a meal and some libations, and then split up the estate. Other Catholics may have family members who are, at best, uninterested in anything spiritual, and at worst, openly hostile to Catholicism. If you think it’s of benefit to your immortal soul, spell it out in an addendum to your will. Give a copy of that addendum to key parties, including your parish office. Insist on your right to Catholic funeral rites. Specify those formal services of the Catholic Church that you desire regardless of what anyone else thinks. Don’t take anything for granted.

Prayers of the Funeral Mass

Do you still need convincing? Consider some of the beautiful prayers available during a funeral Mass. One option for the Collect, for example, asks:

“O God, who have set a limit to this present life, so as to open up an entry into eternity, we humbly beseech you, that by the grace of your mercy you may command the name of your servant__________ to be inscribed in the book of life. Through Our Lord, Jesus Christ…”

At the prayer over the gifts, the priest may pray:

“Be near, O Lord, we pray, to your servant__________, on whose funeral day we offer you this sacrifice of conciliation, so that, should any stain of sin have clung to him/her or any human fault have affected him/her, it may, by your loving gift, be forgiven and wiped away. Through Christ Our Lord…”

And after Communion, the priest asks in prayer,

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that your servant__________, who has journeyed from this world may by this sacrifice be cleansed and freed from sin and so receive the everlasting joys of the resurrection. Through Christ Our Lord…”

Throughout the Mass offered for the soul of the departed, the priest and the congregation are praying for that person in a way that’s only available through the Mass with all its inherent power. And it continues right up to the very end of the Mass, prior to processing out of the church, with the final commendation.

At the End of the Mass

At the end of the Mass, the priest prays the prayers of final commendation, such as:

“Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother/sister. May our farewell express our affection for him/her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope…To You, O Lord, we commend the soul of __________ your servant; in the sight of the world he/she is now dead; in your sight may he/she live for ever. Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace…”

Perhaps you’re far more certain of the disposition of your soul than I am of mine. I believe I need all the help I can get. Please prayerfully consider this matter for your own sake. Take some time now to plan for your departure. You can, with the assistance of your local parish and mortuary, plan out the formal services that will benefit your immortal soul. Set it all up in advance. You will be able to rest assured that the services you wish to have are taken care of, and you will save your loved ones the hassle.

“In Paradisum deducant te Angeli in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.”

“May the Angels lead you into paradise: may the Martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you into the holy City of Jerusalem.”