Funerals
"By this final greeting "we sing for his departure from this life and separation from us, but also because there is a communion and a reunion. For even dead, we are not at all separated from one another, because we all run the same course and we will find one another again in the same place. We shall never be separated, for we live for Christ, and now we are united with Christ as we go toward him . . . we shall all be together in Christ."
(St. Simeon of Thessalonica, De ordine sepulturæ. 336:PG 155,684.)
(St. Simeon of Thessalonica, De ordine sepulturæ. 336:PG 155,684.)
Preparing the funeral service of someone who has died can be a difficult thing to face. Two resources have been prepared by the Diocese of Westminster to assist everyone in making preparations for either their own funeral or that of a loved one.
Guide for Preparing a Catholic Funeral
This is a leaflet prepared to help people who have the responsibility of arranging for the funeral of a family member or friend. It indicates the purpose and nature of a Catholic funeral and offers simple guidance to family and friends before they meet with those who will prepare the funeral liturgy with them. The Church’s ministers will help the family consider what is best and practical for their particular circumstances. They have the task of ensuring that funeral services are true to the tradition of the Church, as well as appropriate to the one who has died, and those who gather to pray for them. Click here to download the 'Preparing a Catholic Funeral' leaflet.
Preparing for my Funeral
This is a simple A4 sheet designed to help people indicate their preferences for their own funeral. Catholics will want to ensure that their funeral service reflects their faith, the faith of the Church. However it can be difficult for our next of kin make detailed arrangements for our funeral at the same time as dealing with the grief and loss they will experience at our passing. They will be especially hard-pressed to prepare the funeral as we would wish if they do not share our Faith. It can therefore be a real help to others when we ourselves give thought to our funeral arrangements ahead of time, and let them know what our preferences are, so that when the time comes they can be taken account of to the fullest degree practicable. Click here to download the 'Preparing for my Funeral' leaflet.
Cremation
The leaflet Cremation in the Church provides additional guidance when Cremation is being considered. This leaflet also provides details about burying ashes after a funeral. Please click here to download this leaflet.
Guide for Preparing a Catholic Funeral
This is a leaflet prepared to help people who have the responsibility of arranging for the funeral of a family member or friend. It indicates the purpose and nature of a Catholic funeral and offers simple guidance to family and friends before they meet with those who will prepare the funeral liturgy with them. The Church’s ministers will help the family consider what is best and practical for their particular circumstances. They have the task of ensuring that funeral services are true to the tradition of the Church, as well as appropriate to the one who has died, and those who gather to pray for them. Click here to download the 'Preparing a Catholic Funeral' leaflet.
Preparing for my Funeral
This is a simple A4 sheet designed to help people indicate their preferences for their own funeral. Catholics will want to ensure that their funeral service reflects their faith, the faith of the Church. However it can be difficult for our next of kin make detailed arrangements for our funeral at the same time as dealing with the grief and loss they will experience at our passing. They will be especially hard-pressed to prepare the funeral as we would wish if they do not share our Faith. It can therefore be a real help to others when we ourselves give thought to our funeral arrangements ahead of time, and let them know what our preferences are, so that when the time comes they can be taken account of to the fullest degree practicable. Click here to download the 'Preparing for my Funeral' leaflet.
Cremation
The leaflet Cremation in the Church provides additional guidance when Cremation is being considered. This leaflet also provides details about burying ashes after a funeral. Please click here to download this leaflet.