To the editor:
(RE: “Why Can’t Funerals be Free?”) A recent Letter to the Editor entitled “Why can’t funeral Masses be free of charge?” provides the opportunity to reflect not only on the right to Christian burial, but also the obligation we have as members of the Church. The author makes a number of excellent points on the need to pray for the deceased, to comfort the grieving, and to assist those in genuine need. This most noble and pious practice ensures that, as St. Paul wrote: “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope (2 Thessalonians 4:13).
As a Vicar General and the Chancellor, neither I nor other diocesan officials have heard of a funeral Mass being denied because of a lack of funds. We all acknowledge that expenses for funerals can range from modest to elaborate. Most of our pastors enjoy an excellent relationship and work closely with funeral directors. Parishes often quietly provide for those in genuine need. Unfortunately, there are instances when those arranging a funeral simply decide to forego a funeral Mass, even when the deceased attended Mass every day! Daily communicants will request a Memorial Mass to pray for their deceased friend. Speaking from my own experience, when a funeral Mass is not requested, it is not due simply to a lack of funds.
Compensation for organists and/or soloists is a separate issue. Pastors prepare liturgical budgets and contracts with their musicians. Depending on their qualifications and experience, compensation varies from parish to parish. When family requests an outside musician or soloist, the parish organist/soloist most often is still compensated based on the agreement with the parish.
On the issue of the offering, the text and context of applicable canon law provides us with some insight. The Church most diligently admonishes that “even the semblance of trafficking or trading is to be excluded from Mass offerings (canon 947). Interestingly, in the previous canon, we read: “the faithful who make an offering so that Mass can be celebrated for their intention, contribute to the good of the Church, and by that offering they share in the Church’s concern for the support of its ministers and its activities.”
Bishop Tobin, after hearing the Council of Priests, reviewed and issued a diocesan policy on offerings to prevent any discrepancies in this regard. According to the policy that went into effect on January 1, 2008, a pastor may not request an offering exceeding $200 on the occasion of a funeral. Pastors may suggest a lower offering; a few pastors suggest none at all especially when the family requests that contributions be made to the parish in lieu of flowers.
All of us have experienced the rising costs of living as well as dying. Have we ever thought to consider the contemporary costs of parish life, such as: public safety (Church steps need shoveling in the winter!), increased energy costs, utilities, salaries of employees and clergy, health care, insurance, parishes assessments, and all those other expenses required to support and sustain our parishes? Funeral offerings are not meant to off-set parish finances. They do assist in the mission of the Church, but they comprise one small piece in a much more complex reality.
Msgr. John J. Darcy
Vicar General/Chancellor
