Funerals
If you are accessing this page because of a recent death in your family, please accept the condolences of our parish.
It is our privilege to walk with you at this important time. Please know that as soon as we receive word of your loved one’s passing, they will be remembered aloud and by name at all the next weekend’s parish Masses.
May the light of Christ’s own Resurrection console you and fill you with hope in this hour.
The funeral of Catholics should normally be celebrated with a Funeral Mass in the Church, followed by Christian burial or cremation. The body may be brought to the Church the day before although this is optional.
It is permitted for someone to give a brief speech concerning the deceased person, although this is by no means necessary and is often found difficult and embarrassing because of the grief that is experienced. It is often better to make such speeches at the reception afterwards when people are more relaxed.
It is important not to be unduly influenced by the portrayal of funerals in popular television drama. The Catholic Funeral Mass is a deeply good event in which a balanced combination of elements are present.
We are naturally sad that somebody we love has died: attempting to make the funeral a superficially light-hearted occasion is inappropriate. On the other hand, our Catholic faith means that the Funeral is not “the end” but a liturgical celebration filled with the hope of eternal life.
We who are left behind are sad, but the deceased person is assisted by our prayers and rejoices in our charity towards them. After the funeral has finished, it is good to arrange a gathering of relatives and friends to relax and share their memories of the deceased.
In the Catholic Funeral we do “celebrate the life” of the person who has died but this is not the principal focus. Their most pressing need is for our prayers for the forgiveness of “any sins they committed through human frailty.” In fact, the two things are not exclusive. We both remember and give thanks for the good that our deceased friend or relative has done, and at the same time pray for them as they prayed for others.
One of the most important characteristics of a Catholic funeral is that it is not “the end”.
The Church prays for all the faithful departed every day at Mass, and parishes make it possible for Masses to be requested for the repose of the soul of individuals, especially on the anniversary of their death.
This ancient practice which was known in the earliest centuries of the Church, helps us to remember our loved ones in a constructive way, to place our grief in its proper perspective, and to help them by our charity.
November is observed as a month of special prayer for the Holy Souls. We give special honour to the memory of our loved ones by listing their names and placing them by the altar.
When somebody dies, one of the first things to do is to contact a reputable Funeral Director who will assist you with the various arrangements that need to be made.
The Funeral Director will contact your local priest and arrange with him the date and time of the funeral.
You are very welcome to contact Father Stephen for additional guidance and advice.
Even if it has been some time since you or the deceased had any contact with the church, please be assured that our parish will welcome you and do all they can to assist with the funeral arrangements
A GUIDE TO CATHOLIC FUNERAL RITES IN THE DIOCESE OF LEEDS
Please find below a link to a guide which provides an outline of the funeral rites of the Catholic Church.
It is designed to help those who have the responsibility of planning a funeral following the death of a Catholic relative or close friend.
It might also be of assistance to Catholics in thepreparation of their own funeral arrangements.
Link to: A Guide to Catholic Funeral Rites in the Diocese of Leeds (2021)
