Procedure for Burial of a Deacon
The funeral rites for a deacon, an ordained minister of the Church, should be celebrated with the decorum and propriety befitting a member of the clergy. This is to be done with sensitivity to the wishes of the family as well as of the deceased. The following guidelines are offered to assist the appropriate individuals with steps to be taken in order that the Diocese of Orlando community may respect the memory of one of its good servants.
Announcement
On the death of a deacon, the entire diaconal community should be notified through the communications systems established for that purpose. The family (or if need be the local pastor) is asked to notify the Diaconate office or Office of the Bishop regional coordinator of the Bereavement and Hospitality Committee of the council Deacon’s (here after will be referred to as the regional coordinator) who will then notify the appropriate person which will activate the coordination process that will ensure the entire community is notified.
General Recommendations
The family, in coordination with the Permanent Diaconate Office, should make funeral arrangement conscious of the desire of the Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando to be able to preside at the funeral liturgy. Wake services can be planned with the local pastor with additional assistance from the Bereavement and Hospitality Committee of the parish. It is fitting for deacons to be invited to participate in the services, observing the appropriate liturgical norms.
Because of the numbers of deacons/ priests who may attend a funeral liturgy, it is suggested that prior thought by the parish staff be given to the arrangements for the procession of clergy, reception of communion and other details, to the celebration involving large numbers of clergy.
If desired, the family may indicate a deacon whom they wish to serve as the Deacon of the Mass for Christian burial. The Permanent Diaconate Office should be notified and deacon should work closely with the pastor in planning the liturgy.
It will be the responsibility of the Director of the Permanent Diaconate to arrange for the presence of the Bishop, or in his absence his designated representative. As soon as firm arrangements are made for the general liturgy those details should be communicated to the Permanent Diaconate office or the Bishop’s office.
The wake is often held in a funeral home. If desired and with the approval of the Pastor the body may lie in state at the Parish of assignment the evening prior to the funeral liturgy. Specific visiting hours comparable to those at the funeral home are suggested.
The body of a deceased deacon is normally vested in his alb and white stole but if may be clothed according to the wishes of the family. If lay clothes are chosen, a symbol of the actual office [e.g.: Stole, book of Gospels, etc.] may be placed near or on the bier.
Celebration of the Funeral Liturgy
In planning the funeral liturgy the family will want to consult the Celebrants and Parish staff. The Permanent Diaconate Office will serve, as a resource to the Celebrants should he so desire. Options for an evening funeral with burial the following morning may be used.
When a deacon’s body is brought into the church it should be so arranged that his head rest nearest the altar with his feet towards the congregation. This is the appropriate position for one who has been ordained.
The liturgy of Christian burial should reflect that it is being celebrated for a permanent deacon who, if married has a duel vocation of Christian marriage and holy orders. Care should be taken that only appropriate liturgical music is chosen. Deacons who attend are invited to vest and assemble as a body for the procession. They should be seated as a body and appropriate place in the congregation so that they can kneel for the Eucharistic prayer.
Should the burial service be separated from the funeral liturgy, deacons are also invited to vest forf the burial service.
It is customary for the attending bishop to conduct the prayers of Final Commendation the end of the Funeral Mass.
Service at the Grave
The family, relatives and invited guests always have precedence. The grave site service may be led by a deacon depending, of course on the wishes of the family area the appropriate ritual is to be used.
Death of the Spouse or Widow of a Deacon
The death of a deacon’s wife or widow is also of great concern to the Deacon Community. The Permanent Diaconate Office will provide any assistance the family may desire in planning the liturgy, providing help in notifying the Deacon Community of the diocese and advising the ordinary of the deacon’s loss.
Unless the family would desire otherwise, it is most appropriate for the deacons to vest and sit as a body at the funeral liturgy of the deacon’s wife.
In all of the suggestions above, the guiding concern will be the wishes of the deacon’s family. It would be a great help to the family if the deacon takes time to explain the suggestions above with the family and to indicate those areas where the family needs to make decisions. It is hoped that each deacon has given thought to the fact of that, both by providing a will for his family and any desires he has concerning his funeral. This is particularly important, as a family is responsible for any costs arising from the funeral.
Deacon Arrangements of File with the Permanent Diaconate Office
As clergy, it is important for all deacons serving in the Diocese of Orlando to provide a copy of their funeral arrangements to the Permanent Diaconate Office. Click here for a copy of the Diocese of Orlando Deacon Funeral Arrangements form.
