Four paragraphs describe the Funeral Mass. We begin with a good summary of Catholic belief in the Eucharist:
154. When one of its members dies, the Church encourages the celebration of the Mass. In the proclamation of the Scriptures, the saving word of God through the power of the Spirit becomes living and active in the minds and hearts of the community. Having been strengthened at the table of God’s word, the community calls to mind God’s saving deeds and offers the Father in the Spirit the eucharistic sacrifice of Christ’s Passover from death to life, a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, of reconciliation and atonement. Communion nourishes the community and expresses its unity. In communion, the participants have a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits them and are reminded of Christ’s own words: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live forever” (John 6:55). Confident in Jesus’ presence among them in the living word, the living sacrifice, the living meal, those present in union with the whole church offer prayers and petitions for the deceased, whom they entrust to God’s merciful love.
Sacrifice and meal. Balanced. Connection to the Paschal Mystery.
Catholic Sensibility 