The Order of Christian Burial

"IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE"

These words, taken from the Order of Christian Funerals, express the sure and certain hope of the community of Saint Joseph Parish that God, who created all men and women in love, will not fail us at the time of death.
 
 "In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christ achieved his task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension." (Order of Christian Funerals, No. 1)

"At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting word of God and the sacrament of the eucharist." (Order of Christian Funerals, No. 4)

Entrusting Our Loved Ones to the Mercy of God

In times of loss, the Church accompanies her children with prayer, hope, and love. The Order of Christian Burial is the sacred rite by which the Church commends the souls of the faithful departed to the mercy of God and consoles those who mourn with the hope of the Resurrection.

At the heart of the Christian funeral is our belief that death is not the end, but a passage — a “birth into eternal life.” Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, death has been transformed. For those who die in Christ, life is changed, not ended.

The Meaning of Christian Burial

The funeral liturgy is not only a time to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased, but above all, a profound act of faith in the saving power of Christ. In the funeral rites, the Church prays that the departed will be purified of sin, welcomed into the eternal joy of heaven, and one day reunited with all who have died in the Lord.

The funeral rites express the Church’s threefold purpose:

1. To worship God and give thanks for the victory of Christ over death.

2. To commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion.

3. To bring hope and comfort to the living through faith in the Resurrection.

The Three Parts of the Funeral Rites

1. The Vigil (Wake) — A time of prayer, Scripture, and remembrance, often held at the funeral home or church.

2. The Funeral Mass (or Funeral Liturgy) — The central liturgy in which the Church offers the Eucharist for the repose of the soul and for the consolation of the bereaved.

3. The Rite of Committal — The final act of farewell, prayed at the place of burial, expressing our trust that God will raise our loved one on the last day.

Burial and Cremation

The Church teaches that the body, once the temple of the Holy Spirit, should be treated with respect in death as in life. While cremation is permitted, the Church asks that the ashes be laid to rest in a sacred place — such as a cemetery or columbarium — rather than kept at home or scattered, as a sign of reverence and faith in the bodily resurrection.

Hope in the Resurrection

As Catholics, we live in the promise that “if we have died with Christ, we shall also live with Him” (Romans 6:8). The funeral liturgy proclaims this hope, reminding us that Christ has gone to prepare a place for us, and that one day, God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

Planning a Funeral at St. Joseph Parish

If you have recently lost a loved one, please contact the parish office as soon as possible. You can learn more about the funeral planning process on our Funerals page - linked here. Our pastor and staff will assist you in planning the funeral liturgy, selecting readings and music, and ensuring that your family is supported spiritually and pastorally.

We walk with you in prayer and faith as we commend your loved one to the eternal embrace of God.

Helpful Resources:

• USCCB: Funerals and Christian Burial

• Order of Christian Funerals – General Introduction (Vatican)

• Catholic Cemeteries Association