What questions do people have about Catholic funeral rites?
Deacon Parker: The biggest confusion is about what is often referred to as the preliminary service, which traditionally has been a rosary, but there are options. The Order of Christian Funerals has given us a vigil service, praying the office of the dead, and the rosary is still a traditional option. Q: Describe the funeral Mass. Deacon Parker: It is much like the Sunday Mass … with a different opening and closing. People seem to be comfortable with the ritual of the funeral Mass because it’s experienced regularly. Q: What practices are unacceptable for a Catholic funeral? Deacon Parker: The question arises: What kind of music can I have? In a parish church, music has to be liturgical and sacred. It must speak of resurrection and hope. According to the Pastoral Handbook of the Denver Archdiocese, you are given some freedom for secular music to be done at another place outside of the church (like a mortuary chapel). What freedoms are allowed depends on the venue of the preliminary servi
