Funerals

The Gospel reminds us that Jesus is with us until the end of ages. Yet we know not the day or hour when our earthly existence will end.

We strive to imitate Jesus Christ in this life. We will all imitate Jesus in our death when God determines that day. We will imitate Jesus in our burial. Ultimately, with his grace's help, we will imitate Jesus in the Resurrection of our bodies on the last day as we profess every Sunday in the Creed at Mass.

Burying the dead is a corporal work of mercy, although the practice isn't strictly about burying. It also encompasses praying for the dead, attending funerals, and visiting graves. The significance of burying the dead is rooted in the profound respect that Christians have for the human body. The human body created and redeemed by God is to be raised by God in glory.

How we prepare for death will, in part, determine how well we will deal with it when the time comes. Consider your preparation for that final sacrament of life. You can ask questions and begin this very important task that we all must face at some point in our lives by going through practical pointers and resources on this page.

A Catholic funeral is for the living, as our prayers lend assistance to the deceased. It affirms our faith in the Resurrection. It offers consolation, hope, and remembrance among friends, family, and the community of believers. And it provides a profound witness of our faith to the world.