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Through its funeral rites the Church asks spiritual assistance for the
departed, honors their body, and at the same time brings solace of hope to
the living (c. 1176, §2). All Catholics are eligible for the funeral rites
of the Church unless there is some serious obstacle. (The Chancery Office
is to be contacted to verify whether or not a situation warrants denial of
funeral rites.)
The funeral vigil (wake) service can be celebrated
in the church, the funeral home, or the home of the deceased or family
member with a priest, deacon, or trained layperson conducting the service.
The funeral mass (Eucharistic Liturgy of Christian Burial) is celebrated in
a parish church, either that of the deceased or another parish church
designated by the deceased or those charged with the responsibility of the
funeral arrangements. The deceased's own pastor is to be notified of the
death if the mass is celebrated at another parish.
A funeral mass can be celebrated on any day except Sundays, holy days
(e.g. All Saints on November 1, Assumption on August 15), and the Easter
Triduum (Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday).
While the Church retains the custom of burial, cremation is not forbidden.
Recent liturgical rituals have been developed that take cremation into
account. Ordinarily, cremation would occur after the funeral mass,
the body would thus be present for the mass. However, if cremation occurs
first, the cremated remains may be brought to the church for the funeral
liturgy. The cremated remains are always treated with the same respect
that would be accorded a body and, therefore, they should be taken for
burial or entombment in a cemetery or mausoleum.
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