If I have no Catholic relatives, how can I ensure I have a Catholic funeral?

Categories: Questions of Faith

If you have no relatives, or if your relatives are not Catholics, or do not practice their faith, it can be a worry that there will be no one to arrange a proper Catholic funeral after the Lord has called you.

The best course of action is to write in your will that you want your funeral to be celebrated with a requiem Mass in a Catholic church, followed by a Catholic burial or cremation. You can name the church, and In some cases you might nominate a Catholic friend to make the arrangements (with your family if necessary).

If you do not have any family, it is also possible to discuss some aspects of your funeral in advance with one of the priests. An agreement can then be reached about recording your wishes until they are required.

Read more: Catechism 1684-1690.

Author: Fr Andrew