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.

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Directives of the Diocese of Meath for Funeral Masses

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Eulogies are not to be part of the Funeral Mass but can take place in the Funeral Home or the Cemetery.

Readings at the Funeral Mass must be taken from the Lectionary and music must be appropriate. Songs, poems and texts devoid of a Christian content are out of place.

A post-Communion reflection of a prayerful nature can serve to enhance the Liturgy.

Expressions of thanks to those who supported or cared for the deceased can be included in the Prayers of the Faithful.

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Cemetery

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There is no pre-booking of plots in the parish cemetery. Plots are sold in sequence, (a family receives the next plot in line)Plots are only sold to people living in the parish. Double plots are 10 feet long and must be between 7¼ and 7½ feet wide in total. i.e. the outer limit for grave side kerbs must not exceed 7½ feet. In the case of single plots the grave side kerbs must not be more than 3¾ feet in width. Those erecting cemetery monuments must take good care not to damage any other plots in the cemetery. They should also ensure that they remove pieces of stone or cement etc. from the cemetery when completing their work. All monumental workers should contact the Parish Office before commencement of work. Any monument erected or any work carried out on a monument may only be done by people who have produced proof of insurance