The Mystery of Death and Christian Funerals - #5

The funeral rites that we use at the time of death express the paschal mystery. The liturgy ritually addresses a brutal and stark fact: someone has died. Their death was their last act done in the shadow of cross and resurrection. It was their final earthly moment of participation in the paschal mystery. Our funeral rites are much more than mere testimonials to their earthly accomplishments, more than a chronicling of the legacy they leave behind through offspring, status, position, creativity, and accomplishments. Our funeral rites accompany the deceased on their passage from this life to eternal life. We pray that God will extend them the hand of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. We trust that God will lead them on the journey from this world to the other bright shore. We ask God to embrace them and to transport them to the heavenly homeland. We hope that they will see God, join the company of saints, enjoy a land of flowing with milk and honey, will share in the banquet, and walk the streets of Jerusalem on high.

In addition, the liturgy ritually addresses a shocking and numbing fact felt by family, friends, parishioners, neighbors, and co-workers: someone once vitally among us has passed to the Lord. Their earthly pilgrimage has ended. Their sojourn is over. Their physical presence has concluded. Time deprives us from speaking a word of affirmation, gratitude, reconciliation, forgiveness, or love. We who mourn are left with an irreparable and irrevocable hole in our soul. This person's death wrenches and startles us. Our lives will never be the same again. The funeral rites, viz. vigil keeping, the funeral Mass, and the final committal, accompany us over the next few days. Our journey stretches from the moment we learned of their death to the moment when the when the person's remains are placed into holy earth. Sharing in the funeral rites is our participation in the paschal mystery. Perhaps these funeral rites will bring us consolation, comfort and hope.

What guarantees that each ritual celebration and the entire ensemble of rites will console and comfort the gathered assemblies? Each rite and the ensemble of rites need to be prepared, performed, and prayed well. Preparation and performance are key ingredients for successful liturgical prayer. Doing these liturgies requires a number of things. First, liturgical prayer requires ministers who can encourage the full, conscious, and active participation of the people who have gathered. Thus presiders, readers, cantors, musicians, and personnel employed by the funeral director enable the performance of good public prayer. Second, the funeral rites don't just happen. Liturgical prayer is far more than reading the texts in the book. It happens because the dying person and their family, whenever this is possible, meet with a parish worship director. Together they can begin to prepare the prayers, biblical readings, musical elements, and ritual actions that make up the funeral rites. They can also select family members and other liturgical ministers who will enact the rites. This kind of preparation is called for even when a death is sudden or unexpected so that the assemblies will keep vigil, offer the Eucharist, and bury the beloved reverently and respectfully.