Funeral Arrangements - Frequently Asked Questions

Is a vigil service necessary?  

Can Catholics be cremated? 

Can Catholics donate all or parts of their body to medical science? 

Must the coffin be open during the visitation? 

Can Catholics be buried in a non-Catholic cemetery?

Who can have a catholic funeral?

There are some misconceptions about who may have a Catholic funeral. A person who has committed suicide may have the Order for Christian Funerals. A child who has not been baptized and has died before baptism may also have a funeral. Even a non-baptized adult may have a Funeral Mass, since it is for the living family members that we celebrate Eucharist. This is, of course, unless the non-baptized would have been publicly opposed to this.

How much will it cost? 

Does the funeral liturgy need to be a Mass with Communion? 

Is it better for people to send flowers or donations?