Words of Remembrance at Funeral Masses

You have been entrusted with a sacred task in being asked to speak in remembrance of the departed. To speak “in remembrance” means to give a brief reflection on the life of the deceased in the context of his or her life of faith. Such a reflection should revolve around God’s action in the life of the deceased. 

This is not the same as a “eulogy”, which is a reminiscing of the life of the departed outside the context of faith. That would be better at the funeral home, or possibly the cemetery.

Please observe the following guidelines:

• Consider not only the person’s past life, but also the hope we have of being united again in God’s Presence
• Consider how the deceased most resembled Christ
  • In relationship with others
  • In the living of Christian virtue, and perspective on right and wrong
  • In his or her suffering
  • In faith in our Heavenly Father’s concern for all people
• Only one person may deliver the words of remembrance at the funeral liturgy
• At no time is it acceptable to use crude or profane language
• Please limit your text to two or three minutes in length (about one side of a page of double spaced text)
• Write out your remarks, and rehearse them beforehand. You may wish to review what you have written with the priest or pastoral minister who is helping with the funeral preparation

Revised November 10, 2021