Roman Catholic funerals

Roman Catholic beliefs about death

The term Roman Catholic and the term Catholic describe the same Church, led by the Pope as Bishop of Rome. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales uses ‘Catholic’ in its own guidance for families and for funeral directors, so if your family says Roman Catholic, the rites described here are the ones you can expect.

The word ‘Roman’ is sometimes added for two reasons. Strictly, it refers to the Latin Church. And ‘catholic’ also appears in the Creed as a word other Christians use of themselves, so the qualifier can distinguish one from the other.

Roman Catholic funeral ceremonies

The Church especially encourages a funeral Mass, sometimes called a Requiem Mass, because it remembers and celebrates Christ’s own death and resurrection. Only a priest can celebrate it.

The Catholic Church is larger than the Latin Church. It also includes the Eastern Catholic Churches, in full communion with the Pope and of equal standing, which keep their own rites and their own canon law. If your family is Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Maronite, Melkite, Syro-Malabar or Chaldean, the funeral rite is not the Order of Christian Funerals and its parts are differently named. We will speak to your eparchy rather than assume.

A Requiem Mass has conventions that are worth knowing before the day. Here's what to expect:

• Requiem Mass: The Mass for the Dead, named from its opening words ‘Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine’ – give them eternal rest, O Lord.
• Latin Church: The largest part of the Catholic Church, which follows the Roman Rite. This is what the word Roman strictly refers to.
• Eastern Catholic Churches: Churches in full communion with the Pope which keep their own rites and canon law, such as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Maronite Churches.
• Eparchy: The equivalent of a diocese in an Eastern Catholic Church.
• Homily: The brief reflection on the readings given after the gospel. It is not a eulogy.
• Words in Remembrance: A short tribute some parishes permit near the end of the funeral liturgy, distinct from the homily.
• Dies irae: The medieval sequence traditionally associated with the Requiem, and a major part of many musical settings.
• Holy water: Sprinkled on the coffin at the church door and again at the farewell, recalling the person’s baptism.
• Incense: Passed over the coffin at the final commendation, honouring the body and signifying prayer rising to God.
• Ordinary and Proper: The unchanging and the seasonal parts of the Mass, which together make up a Requiem setting.

The cost of a Roman Catholic funeral in the UK depends on the funeral director, the parish, and the cemetery or crematorium. Most families choose a funeral Mass in their own parish church followed by a committal. Because a Mass runs to around 45 minutes, a crematorium service may need a longer or later slot, which can affect the fee. Church offerings and cemetery or crematorium charges are set separately from our own. Your local Dignity funeral director can talk you through everything that is included, and the costs, so you can plan with confidence.

At Dignity, we’re here to support people of all religions and none. We can arrange Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Quaker, Orthodox, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Sikh funerals. Call your local funeral director today to talk about your needs.