Catholic

• A Catholic funeral can take place as part of a Mass, know as Requiem Mass. Funeral is made up of 3 parts:

  • Vigil
  • Funeral Liturgy
  • Committal
• Vigil


  • Takes place between death and funeral
  • Can include the Reception of the Body (short service the night before of the deceased is received into the Church)
• Funeral Liturgy


  • Main part of Catholic Funeral
  • Consists of Introductory Rites (Greetings and opening prayer)
  • Liturgy of the Word (Readings, Gospel and Homily)
  • Liturgy of the Eucharist (Eucharistic Prayer, Lord's Prayer and Holy Communion) and Commendation (when the deceased is commended into God's hands and the casket is processed out of the Church. The coffin will be sprinkled with Holy Water and blessed with incense)
• Committal


  • Final part which takes place at the cemetery or crematorium
  • Includes final prayer and blessing