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learning about funeral rites in the catholic church

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

When a loved one dies, it may not always be possible for a priest to be present at a vigil at a funeral home, possibly a funeral or the final committal at a cemetery.

The diocesan Office of Worship, seeing a need for training, invited deacons and lay leaders who had already participated in an earlier workshop on Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, to come to a two-day formation program specifically designed for them.

Not only would this workshop be instructional but it would also be a time of prayer and renewal for those who may be called upon to assist their parishes when someone dies and a priest is unavailable.

People who attended the June 25-26 workshop at St. Mary’s in Mt. Vernon had been commissioned three years ago as presiders at Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, and this program would extend that commission.
“We also wanted to offer people continuing education and faith formation and deepen their awareness of the rites of the church,” Sue Huett, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, said.

“Deacons and lay leaders can preside at some funeral rites,” Huett added.

Members of this team of presenters included Huett, Deacon Ron Karcher at St. James Parish in Millstadt; Sister Nancy Liddy, OSU, liturgy and music director at St. Teresa Parish in Belleville; Sister Grace Mueller, SSND, parish life coordinator at St. Luke Parish in Belleville; Father Joe Rascher, pastor at St. Stephen Parish in Caseyville; and Mary Regan, a pastoral associate at St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish in St. Louis, Mo.

One participant, Rod Kelley from St. Joseph’s in Olney said he had been called upon in the past and felt unprepared.
While Kelley said the entire workshop was instructive, “the most helpful part, was to make me more aware in this ministry to realize the needs of a family and friends at this time, and give suggestions on how to handle the one-on-one situations, and not just the formal rites.”

Carla Haas of St. Mary Parish in Carlyle agreed that the entire workshop was instructive, and she also “recognized the need for lay persons to become better prepared to serve.”

Many of the participants attended the workshop to extend their certification to serve at Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, but found themselves drawn to the meditations and prayers included during the workshop as well as the additional information about the funeral rites.

“I went to renew my ability to be available for our parishioners in the absence of a priest,” Phyllis Mensing of St. Anthony Parish in Beckemeyer said. “But I also went to learn and reinforce my knowledge of the funeral rites.”
Also interested in continuing education, Mike Hopkins of St. John the Baptist in West Frankfort, appreciated the information the team presented to the participants.

They “discussed the funeral vigil, the liturgy and the committal rites in depth,” Hopkins said. “They showed us ways to help a family who had lost a loved one, and I left with a new perspective on the funeral rites.”

Rita Cox of St. Mary Parish in Carlyle said she also came away with “a huge amount of information concerning the funeral rites, including four practicums in which the participants took part.”

Not only did the team present information and opportunities for practicums, they also invited participants to morning and evening prayer and to take time to meditate.

“At the end of the first day, the group participated in evening prayer, and at the start of the second day we prayed morning prayer,” Cox said. “Both were very moving, holy and exhilarating.”

At the end of the workshop, Irene Kruse of St. Cecilia Parish in Bartelso said: “I gained a wonderful understanding and appreciation for the liturgy.” Also, “serving the church in this capacity, it is important to do so prayerfully and with humility.”

Marsha Smart of St. John the Baptist in West Frankfort went to the workshop with some anxiety about whether she could assist families when a loved one dies.

However, when it was over, Smart said: “The presenters did an excellent job of breaking down each part of the burial process … . I felt much more informed and more at ease about being involved if necessary.”

Hopkins said he left with “a new perspective on the funeral rites.”

Huett said the workshop highlights the “richness of the rites of the church. People can learn to appreciate these rituals.”

A third and final workshop, focusing on the ministry of presiding at prayer and funeral rites, will be presented Sept. 17-18 at St. Joseph Parish in Freeburg for deacons and lay leaders.

For more information or to register, please call the Office of Worship 235-9601, ext. 144.