The primary purpose of a Christian funeral is that family, friends and all the faithful unite in commending to God the soul of the deceased and to ask God to cleanse them of sin and fulfill the promise of eternal life made to them in baptism.
The funeral liturgy is also intended to console the bereaved, awaken or deepen faith and inspire hope in all present in the face of the sadness and inevitability of death.
At the time of death, contact should be made as soon as possible with the Parish to discuss funeral arrangements such as the Funeral Mass and burial.
The family will arrange to meet the priest to discuss the different ways in which they can participate in the Funeral Mass in regard to the choice of scriptural Readings, Prayers of the Faithful, music etc.
Reflecting the Christian understanding of the funeral liturgy, a eulogy forms no part of the Funeral Mass in the Diocese of Meath. Having met with the family, the priest will ensure that the life of the deceased is represented and reflected in the choice of Readings and the funeral sermon.