Is It Too Late to Share God With Dying Family Member
Spiritual support
If you are very ill or dying, y'all may have feelings of helplessness, defoliation, anger, regret or fear. For the Christian, the love of Jesus Christ can assistance to make sense of your suffering, and give y'all hope and spiritual support even if y'all are feeling very weak.
The Bible describes Jesus reaching out to the ill with compassion and tenderness: property them, comforting them, offering them forgiveness and healing.
No one is forgotten by God. For Catholics, the back up of the Church is given in a special way through the priest and the sacraments.
Sacraments are rituals that tin aid you to find new significant in your suffering. Equally you lot learn to accept sickness and pain with a deeper trust, and offering to it to God every bit a prayer for others.
The Sacrament of Penance
Many Catholics know the Sacrament of Penance as Confession, since it involves the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest, or as the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
If you are about to expiry, the priest can also give you lot an Apostolic Pardon. This is a special blessing that includes the prayer: "May God open up to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy."
Anointing of the sick
This sacrament is offered to people who are dying, and to those who are seriously ill, facing a serious functioning, or who are just very frail due to erstwhile historic period.
The priest prays over yous and anoints your forehead and hands with holy oil. Information technology brings a special gift of the Holy Spirit that gives spiritual forcefulness, helping you to bear the trials of sickness with more confidence and trust.
Information technology unites the person with Jesus Christ in his suffering and helps them to pray with and for the whole Church. Information technology brings forgiveness and prepares them for their final journeying towards God. In some cases, if it is God's will, it can bring health and healing.
Holy Communion and Viaticum
Catholics believe that at Mass breadstuff and vino get the Body and Blood of Christ. This gift is known as Holy Communion. If you lot are unable to get to Mass, a priest or Extraordinary Minister can bring you Communion at abode.
But when yous are dying, the spiritual food of Holy Communion takes on a special significance. It becomes "food for the journey" (Viaticum in Latin), a seed of eternal life and a foretaste of the Resurrection.
As Jesus said: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him upward on the concluding day."
Prayers for the dying and for the expressionless
Even after all the sacraments take been historic, in that location are however important prayers that can be said to support those who are dying.
And later expiry, even in their daze and grief, the family will want to pray for the person who has died and for each other. And, if possible call the priest to pray with them at domicile or in hospital.
Contacting your parish
If yous are Catholic and you are sick or dying, or if you are supporting a Catholic who is very ill, information technology'southward important to contact us. Do this sooner rather than after, and ask if Fr 
Kevin can visit y'all at home.
Don't be shy or embarrassed or worry if you lot have been distant from the Church. The parish wants to back up you. And don't leave it until the concluding minute, considering the priest may not always be available in an emergency.
If you're not Catholic but would appreciate the support of the Church, or if y'all would like to know more about how the sacraments can help you, please contact your local Catholic parish. The priest will always be happy to talk and pray with yous, and think almost what spiritual support would be helpful for y'all.
Information technology's never besides late
Priests come across it as a privilege to visit the ill and to bring them the sacraments. They will welcome your approach at any stage in your disease.
One priest says: "I once got a call to visit a immature adult female in a hospice who had concluding cancer. She hadn't seen a priest in many years. Nosotros had a beautiful conversation. She unburdened herself, made a expert confession, and received the Apostolic Pardon.
"I all-powerful her and gave her Holy Communion as Viaticum. She died three days later. I am absolutely certain she is at peace with the Lord now, considering she gave her life to him fifty-fifty at the last moment, and he gave her his forgiveness and the gift of hope."
What to practice after someone had died
Throughout the Church's history, Christian burial has been an integral part of Catholic life. Cosmic dogmas and doctrines relating to death and resurrection have been reflected in the liturgy, devotions and community surrounding the decease and burial of the faithful. Catholic belief in death every bit the archway into eternity, hope in the resurrection, recognition of the value of prayer for the deceased, reverence for the body which remains, a sense of the mystery and sacredness which surroundings death — all of these should be reflected in the ministry and rites that are part of the Church building'due south pastoral response to death, the intendance of the body of the deceased and the consolation of the living.
Christian belief in the sacredness of man life, here and in the globe to come, must be reflected in the Christian response to death. The individual and liturgical prayers, the meditation and reflection, and the ceremonies and rites connected with the funeral and committal express our participation in the great Paschal Mystery and its promise of eternal union with almighty God. The events which surround death as well telephone call for a response from the Christian community.
The Full general Introduction of the Order of Christian Funerals teaches that "when a fellow member of Christ's Body dies, the true-blue are chosen to a ministry of alleviation to those who have suffered the loss of i whom they love. Christian consolation is rooted in that promise that comes from faith in the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian hope faces the reality of death and the anguish of grief but trusts confidently that the ability of sin and death has been vanquished by the Risen Lord. The Church building calls each member of Christ's Torso — priest, deacon, layperson — to participate in the ministry building of consolation to intendance for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn." (OCF, viii)
When someone dies, a special journey begins. For the one who dies, the journeying is the completion of their earthly pilgrimage and their motility to God who judges all with truth and dearest and has the power to grant life in its fullness. For those who remain, another kind of journey begins. Information technology is a journey of separation and loss, a time of confrontation with death that challenges our confidence, fifty-fifty our faith. For the bereaved family unit and friends, this may be a long route. Even years after the challenge may remain.
A critical phase of this journey for the human community is the menses that begins at the moment of death and ends with the burial or entombment of the deceased. In the Cosmic tradition, no one makes this journeying alone.
Important stations on the ritual journey of the Catholic community during this time between expiry and burying are:
THE VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED
The goal of the Church'due south funeral rite is not only to commend the dead to God, but as well to back up her people in Christian hope. It has get customary, at some opportune fourth dimension and identify before burying, to accept a gathering of the family and friends of the deceased. "The vigil for the deceased is the main rite historic by the Christian community in the time following decease and earlier the funeral liturgy." (OCF, 56)
The acuity may be held in the parish church in the company of the torso to allow full participation of the whole parish family in the ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. While this is currently non a practice in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, guidelines will be made available to those parish communities which want to practice this choice in the future.
THE FUNERAL MASS
"At the death of a Christian, whose life of religion was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the cease nor does information technology break the bonds forged in life." (OCF, 4) The Mass, the memorial of Christ'due south decease and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.
THE FUNERAL SERVICE
Sometimes it may be more than comfortable for the remaining family members to nourish a Funeral Service instead of attending a full Mass, particularly if they are non Catholics or infrequently nourish Church. The Liturgy is similar to the Mass with Scripture readings etc, only does not have the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Final Citation, FAREWELL AND RITE OF COMMITTAL
"The final commendation is a final farewell by the members of the community, an act of respect for ane of their members, whom they entrust to the tender and merciful encompass of God. This act besides acknowledges the reality of separation and affirms that the customs and the deceased, baptized into the one Body, share the same destiny, resurrection on the concluding twenty-four hours. On that solar day, the one Shepherd will phone call each by name and get together the faithful together in the new and eternal Jerusalem." (OCF, 146)
These occasions and gestures enable the community to pay due attention to the reality of a person dear to us who has entered the shadow of expiry. At a fourth dimension of great upheaval and emotional distress, the Church'south ancient rituals offer stability and focus. They shed a light on the path of our journey. They guide the mourners and the rest of the community to a response of faith, hope, and love.
Immediate Practicalities later on death
If someone in your immediate family unit or circumvolve of friends has died, we offering you our deepest sympathy on your loss, and wish to make the funeral arrangements as easy every bit possible for you. These words offer you the information you need to organise a funeral Mass or service at either St Peter in Chains, Ss John & Columba'south or Our Lady of Lourdes. If your loved 1 has died at dwelling, and so you lot need to contact your GP and the Parish Priest. Following confirmation of death, and the prayers of the dead accept been said, you volition need to then contact a funeral director, and so that they can remove the deceased. In the instance of sudden, death, it is normal practice for the law to attend, and there is no need to exist alarmed.
Please advise us as soon equally possible when a relative has died. We will then include them in the prayers at Mass and in the Parish Newsletter. We tin also advise you of possible dates and times for the funeral and discuss whether you would like a total Funeral Mass or a shorter funeral service. The funeral service tin can take place either in the church building or in the crematorium or cemetery. Cremations unremarkably include a committal service, equivalent to what happens at the graveside for a burying.
There are several locally based funeral directors. Below is a list of some of them. We make no recommendation as to which one to apply. Nosotros have listed companies who are either members of the National Clan of Funeral Directors or of the Lodge of Centrolineal and Contained Funeral Directors.
Choosing the right Funeral Director is important, some of import questions to ask yourself are: Does the Funeral Manager have any qualifications to carryout my loved ones funeral? Are they regulated by anyone? If there is a problem, who do I take my complaint to?
Once the funeral has been bundled you lot must receive a written gauge as per the Code of Practice of both the NAFD and SAIF. Once the funeral has been confirmed, y'all will receive a written confirmation.
The National Association of Funeral Directors demands high professional standards and then, in social club to be accepted into membership, funeral firms are assessed confronting strict criteria. Members of the NAFD are and then required to abide by a stringent Code of Practice and are monitored regularly to ensure a high quality of service is maintained. These standards are prepare out in the NAFD Funeral Promise, which all members make to the families in their care.
Crosbie Matthew Funeral Directors Ltd (An Independent Family Business concern) [SAIF Member] Moray Way Due north, Dalgety Bay, KY11 9NH Tel 01383 822121
1 Queen's Buildings, Queensferry Route, Rosyth. KY11 2RA Tel 01383 669333
Dunfermline FuneralCare(Part of the Cooperative Society) [NAFD Member] 23 Dewar St, Dunfermline KY12 8ADTel 01383 723556
Ewing Funeral Service (An Independent Family unit Business) [NAFD Fellow member]114 Master Street, Kelty KY4 0AE Tel 01383 831351
Inverkeithing FuneralCare (Office of the Cooperative Society) [NAFD Member] 65 Loftier St, Inverkeithing KY11 1AF Tel 01383 415962
Rosyth FuneralCare (Office of the Cooperative Lodge)[NAFD Fellow member] 99 Backmarch Rd, Rosyth, KY11 2RP Tel 01383 415590
Scot-Mid Branch Funerals [NAFD Member] 2 – iv Bridge Street, Dunfermline KY12 8DATel 01383 669866
When you go to the funeral directors you will need to have the Class fourteen document with y'all. This is ordinarily obtained from the Registry Role. Nonetheless, you can begin making funeral arrangements before yous get the actual certificate.
The funeral director will contact us at the Parish Firm or Office to make the final arrangements for the date and time of the Mass or service. They will likewise liaise with the cemetery or crematorium for the time of the service there.
Equally is the case in most Catholic parishes, we generally gloat Funeral Masses at the morning weekday Mass and non at other times. In our parish, this is at 10:00am. If there are exceptional circumstances then nosotros inquire the family to make an appointment to see and speak to the Parish Priest (the telephone is often not a helpful way to discuss arrangements in these emotional situations). If at that place are practical reasons for doing so, nosotros will do whatever we tin can in society to hold the funeral at some other time.
The chief reasons for celebrating a funeral at the 10:00 Mass are:
1. A Funeral Mass is a public celebration of the Liturgy, not a private service
2. Information technology allows the whole customs to get together to pray for the safe and happy repose of the soul of the deceased
three. To provide back up to the bereaved family, who might be too emotional to say the prayers and responses of the Mass or to sing the hymns
Delight allow the funeral director to make the final arrangements. That is their chore and is what you are paying them to do. If they need to liaise with us about whatever aspect, they will practise so.
Once the funeral has been arranged with the funeral directors, please make an appointment to see the priest who will exist conducting the Mass, or the priest/deacon who volition be conducting the service. They will have you lot through the Mass/service, readings, hymns and other things you need to know. It is of import that an canonical version of the Bible is used, which is the New Jerusalem Bible. If yous are having a Mass, we usually sing hymns and take an organist. Delight be enlightened that the organist's stipend and any church building fees are always included in the Funeral Managing director's beak. This is so that you lot practise not accept to concern yourself with such things on the day.
What to await at a Funeral Mass
The nigh important aspect about Cosmic funerals is that they express the Christian promise in eternal life and the resurrection of the body on the terminal day. Every component of the Cosmic funeral rites should express these fundamental beliefs and hopes. Our funeral rites are not "a celebration of life," every bit they are referred to sometimes, but a privileged opportunity to render to God the gift of the deceased, hoping to usher them into paradise with the aid of our prayers. Our love for the departed is expressed after death, higher up all else, in our prayer for them.
There is usually an entrance hymn, a reading from the One-time Testament or from the New Testament or from both. The first reading is followed by a Psalm which is usually sung. There is a Gospel reading, prayers of intercession, a communion hymn and recessional hymn; but please hash out this with the priest who will be conducting the funeral. We tin provide specimen readings etc. which are normally used at funerals. Nosotros as well have a list of hymns which are both appropriate and well-known for funerals, together with a re-create of the prayers of intercession.
If a family member would like to pay a spoken tribute to the deceased (a eulogy) this ordinarily takes place after Holy Communion has been received at Mass, or towards the end of a service.
At a Funeral Mass, in line with Church Pedagogy, the music should be of a religious nature and appropriate for the celebration of Mass. For a funeral service there is more flexibility in the pick of music.
The front end benches will be left for family and friends of the deceased. Our weekday congregation is very supportive, and will automatically sit farther back in the church or over to the sides, giving the family plenty of room.
Typical Order of Service for a Funeral Mass:
Entrance Hymn
Reading(south) Old or New Testament or both
Psalm: Sung
Gospel
Homily
Prayers of Intercession (bidding prayers)
Offertory (Offertory procession optional) & Offertory Hymn
Our Father and Sign of Peace
Communion & Communion Hymn
Eulogy Prayers of Commendation, (sung) including incensing and approval of the bury
Recessional Hymn
Jesus says: "Come to me, all who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon yous, and learn from me, for I am gentle and apprehensive in center, and you volition find residual for your souls. For my yoke is like shooting fish in a barrel, and my brunt is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
Source: https://catholicswfife.com/the-sacraments/what-to-do-when-someone-is-dying-has-died/
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