The Last Rites of the church are actually Funerals, not the Anointing of the Sick or even the Viaticum of a person’s last reception of Holy Communion. In the Order of Christian Burial, we prayerfully entrust our departed loved ones to the mercy of God, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead. Your parish community can spiritually support you during your loved one’s final illness, at the time of their death, and during your time of bereavement as well. As the Beatitudes remind us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Let us all be there for each other in faith, hope, and love.

• At the funeral home, there is a “celebration of a past life.” This part of the funeral is all about your loved one. Pictures, mementos, eulogies, and other shared stories of your loved one’s past life bring back many beautiful memories that you can recall, cherish, and treasure together for years to come.

• At church, there is a “celebration of eternal life.” This part of the funeral is for your loved one. In church, we pray for the repose of their soul as they come before God to give an account of their lives. It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, and it is a spiritual work of mercy as well.

• After the cemetery prayers, there is usually a funeral luncheon that celebrates your ongoing life together, filled with grateful memories of your loved one. This part of the funeral is thus both for you and about you. It is also a fitting time to support and encourage one another in friendship and in faith.