tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post7688032809573050628..comments2023-12-16T16:17:43.886+00:00Comments on Fr Ray Blake's Blog: On funeralsFr Ray Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-20303803501051773452007-02-05T01:41:00.000+00:002007-02-05T01:41:00.000+00:00Wow, I've almost been Catholic for 10 years, and I...Wow, I've almost been Catholic for 10 years, and I didn't know eulogies weren't allowed at funeral Masses. I always wondered why the priests at our parish never said anything about the deceased during the homily! They did allow people to speak after the Rosary the evening before. This became quite uncomfortable once when a recent convert from protestantism passed away and a few protestants were allowed to speak. Father said, "NEVER AGAIN."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-12644787573877711242007-02-03T22:16:00.000+00:002007-02-03T22:16:00.000+00:00I am totally against eulogies at funerals........i...I am totally against eulogies at funerals........it is sad that the instruction on this is ignored by so many at Catholic funerals. Even for the greatest Saint it would be inappropriate and the only sermons I think are right are those that speak of The Faith - with exhortation to pray for the deceased........so many modern catholic funerals seem to be conducted as though there were no such place as purgartory......or does it just happen that suddenly in this decadent 21st century we suddenly seem to have everyone so saintly that they all bypass purgatory?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-89407308202222822852007-02-03T07:54:00.000+00:002007-02-03T07:54:00.000+00:00As a permanent deacon and funeral director I hear ...As a permanent deacon and funeral director I hear more "tributes" than most. I have heard them promote re-incarnation, denounce the Church, accuse parents of abuse emotional or sexual, to announce the deceased was a Free Mason, to further family quarrels, on two occassions this ending in a fight, actually once in the Church. I have heard poems which seem to be a direct contradiction of a Christian understanding of death, others which are so mawkish that they are embarassing. I have been to funerls where the tributor begins and then freezes on one occassion becoming so overaught they had to be taken to hospital.<br />My firm does what Father suggests and encourages families to use the reception, when everyone is much more relaxed to share thoughts and reflections.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-45903685635217883852007-02-03T01:19:00.000+00:002007-02-03T01:19:00.000+00:00I don't think I suggested that they did a "tribute...I don't think I suggested that they did a "tribute" at communion but rather they are thinking about it during communion. I do not forbid it, I suggest that there might be a better time to speak about the deceased than during Mass. I encourage it happen at other times, but because other priests locally allow a eulogy, if people are really set on it, so do I, though it is contrary to the GIRM and to the spirit of the liturgy, which is always Christocentric.<br /><br />I don't see where you find, "The time for a personal tribute is between the post-communion prayer and the blessing". This has come about by custom not by deliberate design. I understand various Irish bishops and even English bishops have started discouraging it or even forbidding it.Fr Ray Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-22784543035164973702007-02-02T22:44:00.000+00:002007-02-02T22:44:00.000+00:00Can I believe what I've read? Surely you tell mo...Can I believe what I've read? Surely you tell mourners what may and may not be permitted at funerals? I've seldom had problems like this. If treated courteously and the Church's practise explained all comply. The time for a personal tribute is between the post-communion prayer and the blessing, NEVER during the distributions of Holy Communion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-19942100725001032772007-02-02T13:25:00.000+00:002007-02-02T13:25:00.000+00:00Black vestments! I love them. Can you really ask f...Black vestments! I love them. Can you really ask for them for your funeral?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-7385311436696438182007-02-02T12:25:00.000+00:002007-02-02T12:25:00.000+00:00I'll never forget being told by a priest that one ...I'll never forget being told by a priest that one of the worst experiences he had was at a cremation. The family wanted a "nice" hymn to finish with, and picked "Colours of Day"<br /><br />Imagine the consternation at the chorus...<br />"<i>so light up the fire, and let the flame burn,<br />open the doors...</i>"<br /><br />I still get the giggles when I hear that song...Mulier Fortishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01186202810919174492noreply@blogger.com