A Christian funeral is not a “celebration of life” as the world would see it. A Christian funeral is a liturgy that helps the deceased prepare to enter heaven. If it is a celebration of life, it is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives us hope for our deceased brothers and sisters.
A Christian funeral also honours the bodies of the deceased, who became temples of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and which will be raised from the grave when Jesus Christ comes again for judgement.
The funeral of a Catholic should be celebrated in a church. Normally, a funeral Mass is
celebrated, in which the Body and Blood of Christ are offered to give thanks to God for the
graces he gave to the deceased, as well as to make reparation and supplication for the
deceased.
The body of the deceased is then buried in a resting place as a sign of hope in the resurrection
of the dead when the dead shall rise from their graves. (Cremation is allowed, but cremated
remains must be buried.)
The parish priest will work with funeral directors in arranging the time for a funeral. The
priest will normally meet with the family of the deceased to discuss liturgical details.
Please note that eulogies are not to be given during funeral liturgies.