Q. Recently someone told me that a non-Catholic Christian was going to have a Catholic funeral Mass when he died. Is that possible?
A. Interesting question; thank you for asking it. I believe a number of people have dealt with this question in their lifetime. As a pastor for many years and having had the situation come up several times, I am always grateful for the opportunity to share the faith with people of all denominations, especially regarding the Catholic funeral rites.
The Code of Canon Law, a book that addresses almost every aspect of Catholic Church life, talks about three groups of “non-Catholics” for which the Church’s funeral rites may be celebrated.
The first group of people who can receive a Catholic funeral are those people who are studying to become Catholic (Canon 1183, no. 1). It is these people who seek to join the Catholic Church for whom the Church introduces them to the celebration of sacred rites (sacraments, devotions, religious disciplines, etc.). This would grant people either unbaptized or who have not yet made a profession of faith in the Catholic Church the right to a Catholic funeral.
The second group of people who may have a Catholic funeral are children whom their parents intended to have baptized but who died before Baptism. They can be given an ecclesiastical (i.e. Catholic) funeral” (Canon 1183, no. 2)
The third group of people who can receive a Catholic funeral are those who, “in the prudent judgment of the local Ordinary (bishop), ecclesiastical funerals can be granted to baptized persons who are enrolled in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available” (Canon 1183, no 3). For this group of people, commentators speak of both “physical unavailability,” as when no congregation exists locally to which the deceased would otherwise attend, and “moral unavailability,” as when the deceased has not practiced his or her faith according to a particular denomination, or has attended Mass with his/her Catholic spouse for a period of time.
As a priest, this is what I have experienced most often. That is, a non-Catholic being married to a Catholic and he/she attending Mass regularly with their Catholic spouse and raising their children Catholic.
In these situations the non-Catholic certainly seems to be quite well disposed to the Catholic faith.
The Roman Missal – the large book of prayers for Mass that sits on the altar – includes instructions and details and formulas for Funeral Masses of all types. These Masses include elements of what is called the Common. That is, the Collect (Opening Prayer for Mass); Prayer over the Gifts and the Closing Prayer. It also includes the Preface – which is the prayer just before the Eucharistic Prayer. The Eucharistic Prayer also includes what is called the memento for the dead.
Another source for the funeral liturgy is a book called the Order of Christian Funerals. You see this book used by priests during funeral Masses.
I believe the moment of death or as death is approaching is an excellent opportunity to speak about the truthfulness of the Catholic faith and the true need that people dealing with the loss of a loved one have for the Church. At these times an openness to the needs of a grieving family can go a long way in efforts toward Christian unity.
When one considers the Catholic funeral rites, a Catholic funeral is not a sacrament, it is usually the celebration of the Eucharist for the deceased. As such, the Eucharist or Mass, can be celebrated for any good intention, or anyone (Catholic or otherwise), living or dead.
An additional note: the Catholic Church’s funeral rites consist of three principal elements: the Vigil (a combination of prayers, the reading of Scripture, a homily and the praying of the rosary) the Funeral Liturgy (with or without Mass), and the Committal (the graveside services).
If you have any more questions or would like to plan your funeral in advance I know that every parish priest would be glad to sit down with you and discuss these matters. A very timely and applicable question. Thanks for asking it.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
