Funerals and the Catholic viewpoint

TXFLYGUY · #1 Oct 30, '11, 6:07 am

How important is a funeral? Are we required to have one for the deceased? A close friend just passed away and his wish was to not hold a funeral or any memorial service.

The individual was a non-believer and as such I pray for his soul.

**puzzleannie** · #2 Oct 30, '11, 6:14 am

there is no requirement for a funeral, the body may be cremated and the remains reposed properly, with due blessing and prayers of the church, without it, but the friends and relatives should ask the priest for Mass to be said for the intention of his soul. It is a work of mercy to bury the dead which would include arranging for any of this. It does indicate a problem if a Catholic sees no need for prayers for the dead of any kind, nor any respect paid to the remains of his created body through which he came to know God in his creation and in his Son. But a full blown expensive funeral is not required.

Matthew Holford · #3 Oct 30, '11, 8:14 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFLYGUY

How important is a funeral? Are we required to have one for the deceased? A close friend just passed away and his wish was to not hold a funeral or any memorial service.

The individual was a non-believer and as such I pray for his soul.

My sympathies to you.

Is your friend a Catholic?

Catholic90 · #4 Oct 30, '11, 8:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFLYGUY

The individual was a non-believer and as such I pray for his soul.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Holford

My sympathies to you.

Is your friend a Catholic?

MartyrForJesus · #5 Oct 31, '11, 4:38 am

Organize a requiem Mass for him. If he is in purgatory, that would do much good.

**thistle** · #6 Oct 31, '11, 6:49 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyrForJesus

Organize a requiem Mass for him. If he is in purgatory, that would do much good.

He was a non-believer.

MartyrForJesus · #7 Oct 31, '11, 6:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by thistle

He was a non-believer.

Oh, wait a minute. Does the Church only let Requiem Masses be said for Catholics? If so, sorry for that mis-conception.

YoungTradCath · #8 Oct 31, '11, 6:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyrForJesus

Oh, wait a minute. Does the Church only let Requiem Masses be said for Catholics? If so, sorry for that mis-conception.

It does only give requiems to Catholics.

Matthew Holford · #9 Oct 31, '11, 7:06 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFLYGUY

The individual was a non-believer and as such I pray for his soul.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Holford

My sympathies to you.

Is your friend a Catholic?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catholic90

_________________
Please do not refer to me as a "him". I am a .

Have a WONDERFUL day!! See the GOOD all around you!

He may have been baptised as a Catholic or received into the Catholic Church.

Joe Kelley · #10 Oct 31, '11, 6:11 pm

I think a funeral mass would only be for a Catholic. However, you can request a mass for anyone.

Zacdecat · #11 Oct 31, '11, 11:44 pm

It is very sad that he wants it that way, in a sense selfish not to allow friends and family the ritual of a send off if nothing else.

A dear friend of mine died and he was agnostic. His funeral was depressing to me beyond belief.....it was so trite and empty of any meaning at all.

**puzzleannie** · #12 Nov 1, '11, 5:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyrForJesus

Oh, wait a minute. Does the Church only let Requiem Masses be said for Catholics? If so, sorry for that mis-conception.

he does not need to ask for a requiem Mass, but it would be a kindness to ask for a Mass to be said for the repose of his soul, which he can do at any parish and can be said at any time. That does not mean it is a memorial or funeral.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacdecat

It is very sad that he wants it that way, in a sense selfish not to allow friends and family the ritual of a send off if nothing else.

A dear friend of mine died and he was agnostic. His funeral was depressing to me beyond belief.....it was so trite and empty of any meaning at all.

there is nothing to prevent his friends and loved ones from gathering in any way they wish after his death to commemorate his life, mourn his passing, and express care for his soul. Deceased is not in charge of the arrangements, you know.

TXFLYGUY · #13 Nov 1, '11, 5:57 am

Thank you to all who have responded! Our friend had stated that he did not believe in any kind of life after death. He was rather firm in his conviction (non-conviction?) in this regard. I am very concerned about his soul...Matthew 16:16 seems to have the answer to this.

Moments before our friend took his last breath, he opened his eyes and looked all around his room, actually looking past his family that was with him. It seemed that he saw something of great interest, but did not verbalize anything. He then quietly passed away.

Steve Jobs sister reported a near identical experience while Jobs was on his deathbed. Jobs had gathered his family to be around him as he knew his time on earth was extremely short. Just prior to his passing, he looked around the room as though something of interest was there, again looking past his loved ones, and exclaimed "Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow", and shortly after passed away.

You can fill in the blank in both of the above as to what type of vision was seen...

lizaanne · #14 Nov 1, '11, 6:15 am

May God have mercy on his soul.

~Liza

johnthebaptist1 · #15 Nov 6, '11, 3:02 pm

As a brought up Catholic, I believe that the body should be buried,in the Ground, so that at the end of time,Jesus well rise us up those that are asleep.To his new world. I know that in some cases, this is Impossable dew to the Body being destoreyed in a fire, plane crash or in a car. But those that die normally,should be buried in a casket.