Catholic Mass of Christian Burial: What Happens and How to Plan It

A Mass of Christian Burial is the Catholic funeral Mass. It is the central part of the Church's funeral rites, which are made up of three parts: the vigil (wake), the funeral liturgy, usually a Mass, and the rite of committal at the cemetery or columbarium. The Mass is a prayer for the person who has died and a statement of hope in the resurrection, so it differs from a celebration of life. Call the parish before you set a date with a funeral home.

What are the three parts of a Catholic funeral?

The Church's book of funeral rites is called the Order of Christian Funerals. It sets out the funeral in three parts, and your priest can explain which parts fit your situation.

1. The vigil (wake). This is the first prayer service, usually held the evening before the funeral at the funeral home or in the church. It often includes a Scripture service or the Rosary. The vigil is where longer tributes, photo slideshows and stories fit best. Our guide to what happens at a wake covers the general idea, and a Catholic wake follows the same pattern with prayer at its center.
2. The funeral liturgy. This is usually the funeral Mass, held at the deceased's parish church or another church chosen with the priest's agreement. When a Mass is not possible, a funeral liturgy outside Mass is used.
3. The rite of committal. This is the final farewell at the grave, mausoleum or columbarium, led by a priest or deacon. It is a short service of prayer.

What happens during the funeral Mass?

The order is set by the Church, so you will see the same pattern in most parishes.

• Reception of the body. The priest meets the casket at the church entrance and sprinkles it with holy water, a reminder of baptism. A white pall, which recalls the baptismal garment, is placed over it by family members, friends or parish ministers. The Paschal candle stands near the casket as a sign of Christ's light and resurrection.
• Liturgy of the Word. There are usually readings from the Old and New Testaments, a responsorial psalm and a Gospel reading. Families can choose from the options in the Order of Christian Funerals. The priest's homily focuses on God's mercy and the resurrection.
• Liturgy of the Eucharist. Bread and wine are brought to the altar, often by family members, and consecrated. This is the heart of the Mass.
• Words of remembrance. One family member or friend may speak briefly before the final commendation begins.
• Final commendation. The priest prays over the casket and may incense it, entrusting the person to God's care. The casket is then taken to the cemetery.

How long a funeral Mass lasts depends on the music, the number of readers and whether Communion is distributed to a large congregation. Ask the parish for an estimate rather than relying on a general figure.

Who can have a Catholic funeral?

Canon law says the Church provides funerals to Catholics and to catechumens, who are people preparing for baptism. A baptized member of another Christian church may be given Catholic funeral rites if their own minister is not available and they did not reject it, in the judgment of the local bishop. This situation often comes up for a non-Catholic spouse of a practicing Catholic.

Canon 1184 lists the cases in which funeral rites are denied, including notorious rejection of the faith and choosing cremation for reasons contrary to Christian teaching. These are rare and are judged case by case by the bishop, not by the funeral home. If you are unsure, the parish priest will tell you what is possible.

Non-Catholic guests are welcome at the Mass. They can stand, sit and join in prayer with the congregation. The US bishops' guidelines say members of other churches are ordinarily not admitted to Communion, so guests who do not receive are invited to pray silently. Many parishes offer a blessing, but practice varies.

Can we have a eulogy at a Catholic funeral?

The Order of Christian Funerals says the homily is never to be a eulogy, meaning a speech of praise for the person. It does allow one member or friend of the family to speak in remembrance before the final commendation. These words of remembrance should be brief, and dioceses set their own length and approval rules. Several US dioceses tightened their funeral policies in 2025 and 2026, so check your parish's current rule.

If several people want to speak, the vigil or the reception afterward is the natural place. Our guide to eulogy delivery tips helps anyone who has to stand up and speak.

What music is allowed at a Catholic funeral Mass?

The US bishops' guidance is that funeral music should express the paschal mystery, meaning Christ's death and resurrection, and relate to the Scripture readings. Secular songs, even ones the person loved, are not appropriate in the liturgy itself. Hymns, psalms and sacred music suit the Mass, while pop songs and recordings of favorite songs suit the vigil or the gathering afterward. Your parish's music director can suggest options and will know which instruments and soloists the church supports.

When can't a funeral Mass be held?

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says a funeral Mass may not be celebrated on solemnities that are holy days of obligation, on Holy Thursday, during the Easter Triduum, or on the Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter. In practice, the priest's schedule and the parish calendar decide the day. Sort this out with the parish office before you book a cemetery or funeral home, because the church date fixes the other times. If the date clashes with a restricted day, ask whether a funeral liturgy outside Mass is an option.

What about cremation, burial and the cemetery?

Catholics may choose burial or cremation. The Church prefers that the body be present for the funeral Mass, with cremation afterward if that is the choice, and that the burial or ashes be placed in a sacred place. Our guide to Catholic cremation rules explains what is allowed for ashes, including the Vatican's December 2023 note. If you need a resting place, ask the parish about Catholic cemetery options in your diocese.

What does a Catholic funeral cost?

The Church does not set a price for a funeral Mass. Costs come from the funeral home, the cemetery and any extras. The NFDA's 2023 price survey found a national median of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial, and $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation. Those figures cover funeral home charges and a casket or ceremony, but not the cemetery plot, opening and closing fees or a marker.

The parish may suggest an offering for the priest, musicians or use of the church, and amounts vary by diocese, so ask the parish office. Canon law says families should not be treated differently because of their means and that the poor are not to be denied a funeral. If cost is a concern, say so to the priest early. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you its General Price List when you visit, must quote prices by phone, and lets you choose only the goods and services you want.

How to plan a Catholic funeral

1. Call the parish office first. Confirm the day, the time and the priest, and ask what the parish expects for the vigil and the committal.
2. Contact a funeral home and ask for the General Price List. Tell them the church date, and ask them to coordinate the cemetery.
3. Choose the readings and music with the parish staff. The Order of Christian Funerals offers a list of readings to choose from.
4. Decide who will help. Family members can place the pall, read, bring up the gifts or serve as pallbearers. Ask the parish how it handles these roles.
5. Choose the vigil and reception. Plan where tributes, slideshows and favorite songs will go, and arrange any meal.

For a day-by-day view of what has to happen before the service, try the funeral planning timeline.