Office of Sacred Worship

New Funeral Rites:

Please read the following information regarding the changes in the Funeral Rites. 

NEW FUNERAL RITES: NO TO THE SCATTERING OF THE ASHES OF THE DECEASED

Vatican City, 30 March 2012 (VIS) - The second Italian-language edition of the "Funeral Rites", produced by the Vatican Publishing House, was presented recently at the headquarters of Vatican Radio. Among other things, the new edition contains fully revised biblical texts and prayers.

The first novelty refers to the visit to the family, which was not part of the earlier edition. Msgr. Angelo Lameri of the National Liturgical Office of the Italian Episcopal Conference, explained how "for a priest this a moment to share in the suffering, to listen to the mourning relatives, to learn about certain aspects of the deceased's life with a view to a correct and personalised presentation during the funeral".

Another change involves the revised and enriched ritual for the closing of the coffin; with a number of different texts for various situations: an elderly person, a young person, or someone who has died unexpectedly. Other changes involve the pronouncement of words recalling of the deceased at the moment of the committal, and the introduction of a broad range of possibilities for the prayer of the faithful.

However the most significant new departure, contained in the appendix of the book, concerns cremation. Msgr. Lameri explained that the issue of cremation had been placed in an appendix to highlight the fact that the Church, "although she does not oppose the cremation of bodies, when not done 'in odium fidei', continues to maintain that the burial of the dead is more appropriate, that it expresses faith in the resurrection of the flesh, nourishes the piety of the faithful and favours the recollection and prayer of relatives and friends".

In exceptional cases the rites normally celebrated at the cemetery chapel or the tomb may be celebrated at the cremation site, and it is recommended that the coffin be accompanied to that site. One particularity important aspect is that "cremation is considered as concluded when the urn is deposited in the cemetery". This is because, although the law does allow ashes to be scattered in the open or conserved in places other than a cemetery, "such practices ... raise considerable doubts as to their coherence to Christian faith, especially when they conceal pantheist or naturalistic beliefs".

The new "Funeral Rites" also focuses on the search for the meaning of death. Concluding the presentation, Bishop Alceste Catella, president of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy, explained that "the book is testament to the faith of believers and to the importance of respect and 'pietas' towards the deceased, respect for the human body even when dead. It is testament to the pressing need to cultivate memory and to have a specific place in which to place the body or the ashes, in the profound certainty that this is authentic faith and authentic humanism".

Mission and Purpose of the Office of Sacred Worship

“In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit . . .”

The Office of Sacred Worship is a pastoral service agency of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and serves as a liturgical resource for the parishes of the Archdiocese. Its administration includes:

• The Office of Sacred Worship
• The Office of Christian Initiation
• The Office of Sacred Music
• The Institute of Sacred Music
• The Office of Reclamation 
• The Office of Eucharistic Adoration

In addition, the Office oversees three Archdiocesan Commissions which serve the Church:

• Commission for Sacred Liturgy
• Commission for Sacred Music
• Commission for Art & Architecture

The Office of Worship also has available a library and a variety of resources, including publications and music.

Responsibilities:

• Works in conjunction with other Archdiocesan agencies to provide guidance in planning liturgical celebrations.
• With the Archdiocesan Commissions for Sacred Liturgy, Music and Art & Architecture, sponsors and conducts workshops and training sessions for liturgical ministries on parish, deanery and Archdiocesan levels.
• Meets with individual parish liturgy commissions upon request to offer instruction, information and support.
• With Music and Art & Architecture Commission members as appropriate, meets with pastors and parish teams to discuss renovation and building projects relative to liturgical space.
• Publishes the "Rite Notes" newsletter on liturgy, Christian Initiation, liturgical art and music for clergy, liturgical ministers and interested laity.
• With the Commissions for Sacred Liturgy and Music, supervises a Certificate Program for those interested in developing their ministry skills in pastoral liturgy or pastoral music.