The Last Things: Vigil for the deceased and the funeral Mass

By Father Michael N. Lavallee
pastor, St. Peter Parish, Northbridge

In the Order of Christian Funerals, the text used by priests and deacons in the funeral rites, the Congregation for Divine Worship teaches us, “By means of the funeral rites it has been the practice of the Church, as a tender mother, not simply to commend the dead to God but also to raise the hope of its children and to give witness to its own faith in the future resurrection of the baptized with Christ.”  

Because of the Christian’s fundamental belief in Christ’s resurrection from the dead, he rightly hopes for the future resurrection of all the dead and for his own eventual resurrection. This is why the funeral rites of the Church are, by their nature, hopeful and future-oriented. In the general introduction to the Order of Christian Funerals, we learn “the celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.”

The Order of Christian Funerals tells us that there are “three principal ritual moments in the funerals of Christians.” These include the “vigil” or wake, the “funeral liturgy” or Mass and the “Rite of Committal” or burial.  

The Order of Christian Funerals explains “the vigil for the deceased is the principal rite celebrated by the Christian community in the time following death and before the funeral liturgy.” The order teaches us “at the vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence.” This is because “the time immediately following death is often one of bewilderment and may involve shock or heartrending grief for the family and close friends.” At this time “the ministry of the Church … is one of gently accompanying the mourners in their initial adjustment to the fact of death and to the sorrow this entails.”

The content of the vigil, as outlined in the Order of Christian Funerals includes prayer, various Scripture readings, a homily and a blessing. The Church goes on to recommend that “whenever possible, the family of the deceased should take part in the selection of texts and music and in the designation of liturgical ministers.”

One of the most significant teachings of the Church present in the vigil service is found in the Order of Christian Funerals. Here, we learn “that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death.” This teaching reminds us of several key theological points held by the Church concerning belief in life after death, the need for prayer for the deceased, the existence of three levels of the Church, and belief in God as love.  

1 John 4:16 tells us “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” As God is love, love is eternal and when those on earth authentically love others they are participating in God’s very life. This is why death does not sever the ties “of friendship and affection” between the deceased and those who love them. The Church teaches us that it exists on three levels: the visible church on earth, the Church suffering in purgatory and the Church triumphant in heaven. Baptism unites all members of the Church to one another, on all levels, and there is an exchange of spiritual goods in the whole Church that benefits the entire body. Prayer is an exchange of love between those on earth and those in purgatory or heaven which is a significant spiritual good. As we pray for deceased loved ones, we express our love and gratitude for the gift of their lives and they, in turn, intercede for us in eternity, expressing their love towards us.

The second funeral rite of the Church is the “funeral liturgy.” The Order of Christian Funerals teaches us “the funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased … at the funeral liturgy, the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery.” Through baptism, Christ shares his victory over evil and death with his faithful people which is why a Christian funeral is an occasion of hope rather than despair. As Jesus was raised so he promises to raise victorious all who place their faith in him.

Why does there need to be a funeral Mass for a deceased person? The theology of the Church reminds us that the Mass is the greatest prayer and it is this prayer, more than others, which is especially efficacious in helping souls undergoing purification in purgatory leave this period of cleansing so they may be welcomed into heaven’s joys. Importantly, then, the funeral Mass is for the joyful repose of the deceased’s soul. Yet, the needs of the mourners and whole community are also met through the funeral Mass. The Order of Christian Funerals explains that at the funeral Mass “the community, with the priest, offers to the Father the sacrifice of the New Covenant and shares in one bread and one cup. In partaking of the body of Christ, all are given a foretaste of eternal life in Christ and are united with Christ, with each other, and with all the faithful, living and dead.” Thus, the funeral Mass provides God’s grace for the faithful who participate in it, giving them a stronger bond with God, one another and with their deceased loved ones. As it is Jesus himself, they receive in the Eucharist at Mass, they enjoy a tiny bit of heaven now even as they endure their sorrows. This point is pivotal as we remember the words of Jesus in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.”