Funerals in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore to no longer be held on Sundays

Sarah Slater

Funeral Masses in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore are no longer to be held on Sundays.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan has issued a letter to all parishes detailing new guidelines due to the growing difficulty in managing the pastoral and liturgical demands of Sunday funerals.

This decision follows a recent meeting of the Senate of Priests, where clergy voiced their concerns.

The main reasons cited for the change are the impact on regular Sunday Mass-goers, who may feel a funeral is being added to or overshadowing the normal liturgy.

The difficulty of giving a homily that appropriately reflects both the Sunday readings and the funeral context.

Overcrowding in churches and the risk of a family's bereavement being diminished within the larger Sunday celebration.

The added strain on clergy already committed to multiple Sunday Masses and other sacraments and the current shortage of priests in the diocese.

There were 1,176 funerals held by the Diocese last year and this underscores "the significant workload borne by parish clergy—particularly over weekends when Sunday Masses, baptisms, and other responsibilities are already scheduled,” according to the Bishop’s letter.

Bishop Cullinan noted that many parishes have already adopted a policy of not scheduling Sunday funerals. He expresses his hope that the faithful will "understand the pastoral and practical reasons behind this new diocesan norm.”

However, Bishop Cullinan outlined that in "exceptional pastoral circumstances," such as cemetery closures, flexibility around funerals may be needed.