The Catholic Funeral Checklist — A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

For Canadian Catholic families, a funeral follows the three-part Order of Christian Funerals — Vigil, Funeral Mass, and Rite of Committal. This walkthrough covers the practical steps from death to burial.

Step 1 — Immediate contacts #

Within hours of death:

• Contact the parish priest (for Anointing of the Sick if death is imminent; for confirmation of funeral plans if death has occurred)
• Contact a funeral home (Catholic-affiliated funeral home or any funeral home that works with Catholic services)

The parish priest and funeral director will coordinate logistics. Parish priest knowledge of family wishes can shape arrangements.

Step 2 — Funeral home arrangements #

• Choose funeral home
• Confirm body care plan (embalming if open-casket viewing planned; not needed for closed casket or cremation only)
• Arrange transportation
• Discuss casket selection
• Plan visitation if desired
• Coordinate with parish for Vigil

Step 3 — The Vigil (Wake) #

Traditionally the evening before the Funeral Mass.

Location: Funeral home most commonly; sometimes church or family home.

Format: Liturgy of the Word — scripture readings, prayers, often a eulogy by family member or friend, music if desired.

Duration: Typically 60-90 minutes.

Visitation: Often 2-4 hours of visitation before the Vigil service, allowing community to pay respects.

Step 4 — Funeral Mass #

The central rite of a Catholic funeral.

Location: Parish church.

Duration: Typically 60-90 minutes.

Elements:

• Reception of the body at the church (priest meets the casket at the entrance)
• Pall placed over the casket (white cloth representing baptismal garment)
• Liturgy of the Word (Old Testament reading, Psalm, New Testament reading, Gospel)
• Homily by the priest
• General Intercessions
• Liturgy of the Eucharist (Mass)
• Final Commendation (priest commends the deceased to God)
• Procession from the church

Family decisions:

• Selection of readings (from approved options for funeral)
• Music selection (in keeping with liturgical norms)
• Choice of eulogist (typically before or after the Mass, not within the liturgy itself in most parishes)
• Pall-bearers (typically six)
• Special offertory gifts if desired

Step 5 — Rite of Committal #

At the cemetery or columbarium.

Duration: 15-30 minutes.

Elements:

• Procession to grave or niche
• Blessing of the grave or niche
• Scripture and prayers
• Words of committal
• Sprinkling of holy water on the casket or urn
• Optional: family takes turn placing flower or scoop of earth
• Final prayers

Burial typically follows immediately if family present; some cemeteries do interment after family departs.

Step 6 — Reception #

Optional but very common in Canadian Catholic tradition.

Location: Parish hall, restaurant, family home, banquet facility.

Format: Light meal or full meal; informal sharing of memories.

Catering: Parish women's group sometimes coordinates parish hall reception; restaurant or banquet hall reception requires separate arrangement.

Catholic burial considerations #

Traditional preference: Burial in a Catholic cemetery (consecrated ground). Most Canadian dioceses have Catholic cemeteries available.

Secular cemetery: Catholic burial in secular cemetery is permitted; specific blessing of the grave by a priest gives it sacred character.

Cremation: Permitted. Cremated remains should be interred (in cemetery or columbarium) rather than kept at home or scattered, per Vatican guidance.

Mausoleum/crypt entombment: Permitted.

Catholic funeral for specific circumstances #

Death by suicide: A funeral Mass is generally celebrated. Modern Catholic teaching recognizes that those who died by suicide may have been suffering from circumstances that diminish moral responsibility, and current pastoral practice tends toward compassionate inclusion. (See funeral after suicide Canada.)

Death of a non-practicing Catholic: Funeral Mass typically available. Parish priest may discuss with family.

Death of a non-Catholic: Catholic funeral Mass not typically held (requires baptism). Family may consider Liturgy of the Word ceremony, or funeral in the deceased's actual tradition.

Death of a child: Special considerations and rites for child funerals exist; parish priest will explain.

Costs #

• Funeral Mass: Parish fees vary; often $200-500 or by donation
• Funeral home services: $4,000-12,000
• Cemetery plot: $4,000-15,000+ (Catholic cemetery)
• Reception: $500-3,000 typical
• Other (flowers, programs, music): $500-1,500

Total typical: $8,000-20,000+

What we focus on at It's Simple Will #

The Funeral Pre-Planner captures Catholic-specific preferences — preferred parish, cemetery (Catholic), readings, music, specific elements.

Related guides #

• Religious funeral options Canada
• Jewish funeral checklist
• Funeral after suicide Canada