Catholic Funerals

Catholic Funeral Directors Brisbane

Catholic Funerals in Brisbane

Catholic Funerals in Brisbane are a speciality of Tony Hollands Funerals, so we thought we would explain the Catholic Funeral Rites and give some assistance on the decisions that you will need to make. Our Funeral Arrangers and Conductors at Tony Hollands Funerals are fully aware of each Catholic Parish in Brisbane and their funeral expectations and requirements . It is recommended that before a Day and Time is set that Families consult with both the Church and Tony Hollands Funerals.

Catholic Funeral Choice of Burial or Cremation?

For a Catholic Funeral Service , a decision needs to be made whether the deceased will be buried or cremated. Within the last few decades, cremation is allowed for a Catholic funeral though the Church’s tradition recommends burial over cremation. More and more families are opting for cremation today for convenience and or to decrease funeral expenses. For a Catholic, the decision should be based on the options supplied to you by our Funeral Arrangers, the Priest and your personal preferences. Funeral costs can and should be a factor when discussing funeral options with your Funeral Arranger.

Should I choose Requiem Mass or Prayers?

Requiem Mass/Funeral Mass

A decision needs to be made whether the funeral will take place in the context of Requiem Mass or a Funeral Prayers Service.

A Requiem Mass is Celebrated in a Church or Chapel with the following ;

A Catholic Requiem Mass Consists of;

Receiving the Coffin. This is where the Priest meets the coffin at the entrance of the church and leads in reciting prayers.
When this is completed, it is customary for the Pall to be draped over the coffin and Symbols of the life of the deceased are then placed on or near the coffin by family members or friends.
Mass can commence with the Priest reciting the opening prayers or the Eulogy of the life of the deceased.
The readings during the service are delivered by family members
There will be an offertory procession , this is when family members bring the gifts of bread and wine to the priest.
There will be the Communion , this is where the eucharist is given to the congregation
There will be the Final Commendation , this is the time that the priest sprinkles the coffin with holy water and incenses the coffin.
The coffin is moved from the church by Pall Bearers , usually family or friends but this can be done by our funeral directors.
Yes, women can be pall bearers.

For most Catholic funerals , the Mass of Christian Burial is chosen. The normal place for its celebration is the parish church of the deceased. As with the planning of any Mass, decisions must be made about music, readings and or family and friends taking a part in one way or another. These would also be considered for a Funeral Prayers Service . These decisions are made in consultation with the Priest and or parish staff.

Holy Water Container

This is the container that the Holy Water is sprinkled onto the coffin by the Priest and mourners. Its name is an Aspergillum.
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Catholic Priest with a Thurible

The Thurible is used in a Catholic Church mainly for Funerals. It symbolises the Spirit of the Deceased rising to God with the Prayers of the mourners.
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Paschal Candle in a Catholic Church

The Paschal Candle is lit in a Cathloic Church to remind us of Christ, the Light of the World, His victory over sin and death. It also reminds us that God is with us during such a sad time.
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Catholic Funeral Prayers Service/Funeral Liturgy

A Funeral Liturgy or Prayers Service with final commendation doesn’t need to be celebrated in a Church itself, and the Church is perhaps not the most appropriate setting at times. A funeral outside of Mass in a Church may be conducted at our Funeral Home, in a Chapel at the Cemetery/Crematorium or even at a Graveside.

A Catholic Prayers Service consists of;

The placing of Symbols if required
There won’t be an Offertory Procession
There will not be the Eucharist offered.
There won’t be Incensing the coffin unless you ask for it or the Priest insists.
A funeral outside of Mass may be officiated by a Deacon, Priest or Bishop — or in some cases, even a Lay Minister, depending on circumstances.

Catholic Funeral Readings

There are readings for a Catholic Funeral. The Priest or Parish staff supply family with copies of the readings from which they can make their decision.

The first reading is typically one of seven options provided from the Old Testament. The exception to this is when the funeral takes place during Easter, in which case the first reading is chosen from one of five options found in either Acts of the Apostles or Revelation.
The Responsorial Psalm may be recited but is most typically sung. There are 17 options for the Psalms that may be chosen. Typically, there are different musical settings for each, so that can be discussed with the Priest or parish staff.
The second reading most typically comes from one of the letters of St. Paul, although there are two of the 17 New Testament options that come from the first letter of St. John. There are 24 options to choose from for Gospel readings, most of which are from the Gospel of St. John.

As you can see this can be quite a task but with good guidance the right decisions will be made.

Catholic Funeral Hymns and Music

Many parishes will often have a list of hymns appropriate for use at a funeral from which to select. While it might differ based on parish custom, there are normally Four hymns chosen. For use at the entrance, offertory procession of the gifts and at Communion. There is also what’s called the song of farewell, sung at the end of the Funeral Mass during the Final Commendation. This is also something to discuss with the Priest if you are interested in options. Tony Hollands Funerals has a large selection of Funeral Hymns on CD. We can organise the Church organist and soloist to play during the Mass. If the Church doesn’t have their own, Tony Hollands Funerals have access to independent musicians and singers.

Funeral Service with Family Involvement

It is natural to want to include involvement by family and friends of the deceased during the funeral.

You may wish to choose readers for the first and second readings,
present the offertory
To serve during the Mass. Perhaps those with musical talents might be able to utilize them in consultation with the parish staff.
There might be the need for pall bearers (usually six)
Representatives of the family or close friends to place the Pall and Christian Symbols on the coffin.

More Funeral Information

If you need information on arranging a Catholic Funeral in Brisbane, please call Tony Hollands Funerals any time.

Useful Links

Archdiocese of Brisbane - More information on Catholic Funerals

Centacare Brisbane - Providing Catholic Support Services such as Pastoral Care and Home Support Services.