Burial of ashes

[Nick Baty]

On 4th July we will be burying Auntie Josie's ashes in her father's grave. As I understand it, this is the final part of the Liturgy which began with her Funeral Mass.

Is it necessary to have a priest or deacon present? (There will be one but I'm asking out of curiousity!)

[Southern Comfort]

The rite available on the Liturgy Office website says "minister". It's an extract from the Order of Christian Funerals.

http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/OCF/12-Ashes.pdf

The designation "minister" in liturgical texts is usually intentionally vague, allowing for both ordained and non-ordained ministers. Since the only thing in the OCF which positively requires a priest is the Requiem Mass itself, I think you'd be safe in assuming that you don't have to have a priest or deacon present for this. In territories where clergy are less numerous than here, this sort of service would be taken by a pastoral associate or a catechist.

There are also some Liturgy Office notes on the website:

http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/OCF/Ashes.pdf

[Nick Baty]

Thank you for that, SC.
We will have a priest with us – I was just musing!

[FrGareth]

Is it necessary to have a priest or deacon present?

No, it's not - and that's official. In 1999 the Bishops' conference published this, which explicitly contains the rite of the burial of ashes for lay leadership.

On one occasion, when a parish family asked if I could bury ashes the very next day to coincide with arrival of relatives, I wasn't free but lent them a copy of said text so they could proceed without me.

And Nick, condolences on your loss. May she rest in peace.

G