The month of November is traditionally a month in which we reflect upon those that we love who have returned to be with God and who we trust are in His presence for eternity. Given this focus, I thought it might be nice to share some answers to some questions which come up from time to time:

What should I keep in mind about a Catholic Funeral ?
Did you know that it is our tradition to celebrate the funeral liturgy for Catholics in the church? It is our custom to celebrate the Funeral Mass in the church with the body present. When it is not possible to have the body present, the cremated remains may be brought to the church.

Sometimes family members who are not Catholic or who have abandoned the practice of their faith feel uncomfortable celebrating a funeral Mass in the church on behalf of the deceased. In such circumstances it may be appropriate to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word (without Communion) in the church. A funeral liturgy for a member of our church at a local funeral home is strongly discouraged.

It is important that you (as a practising Catholic) make this information, as well as your personal wishes, known to your family members and those who will be responsible for making your funeral arrangements. It is also recommended that you include these wishes in your will.

Why do we offer Masses for the Dead ?
From the very beginning, the Church has honoured the memory of the dead and offered prayers for them, above all, the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, purified, they may have the beatific vision of God. (see Cathechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1032). Indeed, St. Ambrose (d.397) preached: “We have loved them during life; let us not abandon them in death, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the Lord.”

It remains the custom of Catholics, on the occasion of death, to request that a Mass be offered for the deceased. Although there is no cost for such a request, the usual offering made to the parish in Hamilton Diocese is $10.00. The presentation of a Mass card to the bereaved is one of the most beautiful expressions of sympathy we can offer to those who mourn. It is also a powerful expression of our faith in the Lord’s promise of eternal life and a loving gift to the faithful departed. A Mass for the deceased may be requested at any time and is a fitting way to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone before us on the anniversary of their death and on other special occasions.

Why do Catholics pray for the dead ...is there a purgatory ?
The New Testament and early Christian writings offer some evidence for purgatory. In 2 Timothy 1:18, St. Paul prays for Onesiphorus, who has died. The earliest mention of prayers for the dead in public Christian worship is by the writer Tertullian in 211 A.D. The question of purgatory and praying for the dead was a major issue between Catholics and Protestants in the 16th century. The Council of Trent’s 1563 decree about purgatory reaffirmed its existence and the usefulness of prayers for the deceased, yet it cautioned against “a certain kind of curiosity or superstition...” about it.

The Roman Catholic teaching on purgatory reflects its understanding of the communion of saints. We are connected to the saints in heaven, the saints-in-waiting in purgatory and other believers here on earth. Prayers for the deceased are not a means of buying their way out of purgatory. The Catholic Church’s teaching about purgatory (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1030-32) says that all sin, unfortunately, has a life of its own and may have bad effects even after the sinner repents. Sincere repentance includes a desire to repair the damage done by one’s sins. That may or may not be complete before the person dies. When the world ends at the Final Judgment, there will be only two possibilities: heaven and hell. We who celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection over sin and death look forward to sharing in that victory, and we pray that our beloved dead may do the same.