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Words of Remembrance

The funeral liturgy provides the possibility of a member or a friend of the family to speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins.  Please see the Archdiocesan guidelines regarding the words of remembrance listed below.  Please review and share these guidelines with anyone wishing to speak in remembrance of the deceased within the context of the funeral rites.  The text of the “words of remembrance” must be reviewed by the priest celebrant in advance of the funeral liturgy.  Please email the text to Fr. Forlano at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least a day in advance of the funeral.

GUIDELINES REGARDING THE HOMILY

  1. “A brief homily based on the readings is always given after the Gospel reading at the Funeral liturgy.  Attentive to the grief of those present, the homilist is to dwell on God’s compassionate love and on the Paschal Mystery of the Lord, as proclaimed in the Scripture readings.  The homilist also helps the members of the assembly to understand that the mystery of God’s love and the mystery of Jesus’ victorious death and resurrection were present in the life and death of the deceased and that these mysteries are active in their own lives as well.  Through the homily, members of the family and the community receive consolation and strength to face the death of one of their members with a hope nourished by the saving word of God.” [OCF, no. 27]
  2. In accord with the prescripts of the Code of Canon Law (canon 767, §1, and authentic interpretation of May 26, 1987), as well as the norms of the various liturgical books, the homily is always and exclusively reserved to a priest or deacon.
  3. The homily is never to be a eulogy [OCF, no. 27], that is, solely a commendation in praise of the deceased person.  Rather, the homily is to indicate signs of the redeeming love of God as evident in the Scriptural readings and as made visible in the life of the deceased person.  When appropriate, it can include elements of gratitude and praise for a life that had been blessed by God.

GUIDELINES REGARDING “WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE”

  1. The Order of Christian Funerals provides for the possibility of “a member or a friend of the family speaking in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins.” [OCF, no. 197]
  2. As with the homily, these “words of remembrance” are not to constitute a eulogy as such.  Rather, they are to express appreciation for the life of the deceased, or take the form of a prayer or other inspirational text.
  3. Only one family member or friend is to speak, and he or she is to be brief, speaking no more than three minutes.
  4. Because of the intensity of the emotions at the time of a Funeral, the “words of remembrance” should be consigned to writing.  To ensure that these words are in harmony with the celebration, the script should be given to the priest celebrant in advance of the Funeral liturgy, so that he can make any suitable suggestions to help the “words of remembrance” convey the consolation of God’s love, grace, and mercy. These words, then, are intended to particularize the praise and gratitude to God for His gifts to the deceased, especially the gift of the Christian life.
  5. Those who wish to give a eulogy or to share a story about the deceased more fittingly do so during the Vigil (Viewing/Wake) at the Funeral home, or following the Committal at the cemetery.  A biography of the deceased could be included in the printed worship aid, if one is prepared for the Funeral liturgy.

CONCLUDING PRINCIPLE

These guidelines, and as with all the norms regulating Christian Funerals, are intended to assist the priest celebrant, family members and friends to celebrate the Funeral rites “in an atmosphere of simple beauty, in a setting that encourages participation…affirming Christian belief and hope in the Paschal Mystery.” [OCF, no. 21]