Faith

PROTOCOL for DECEASED MEMBERS

It is fitting that council members take time to remember deceased members in a special way. Parish councils should discuss, review and set a basic policy for remembering deceased members. It is essential that the spiritual advisor be consulted as customs and requirements vary from parish to parish.

Suggestions for CWL Funerals

1. A League member should contact the family to offer assistance. The member should also explain how the CWL can be involved with respect to an honour guard, procession, and vigil prayers. The member should request permission from the family of the deceased in this regard.
2. A situation may arise in which the deceased person has not paid her membership fees for a number of years. She may have been in a personal care home or her health was such that she was unable to be an active member of the League. Whatever the reason, councils are requested to respect that this person supported the League in the past and an honour guard would be appropriate.
3. Members should visit the funeral home/home/church as a group. When signing the guest book, indicate CWL. The president or her delegate (i.e. spiritual development chairperson) should lead the vigil prayers which may be found in the Handbook for Spiritual Advisors, and the Ceremonies booklet.
4. Members should be contacted to form a guard of honour for the funeral. They could wear CWL scarves, stoles, arm bands or crest buttons and their League pin. Honour guard suggestions:
   1. Members line up on either side of the stairs or entrance to the church. Once the greeting prayers have been said by the priest, the guard of honour follows the casket to the front of the church and usually sits directly behind the pallbearers. The funeral director will direct the members in the guard as to when to enter, where to sit and when to leave.
   2. Some honour guards sit together, behind the pall bearers without a procession.
   3. Members sit at the end of the pews lining the aisle of the church, beginning from back to front, depending on the number of members present. Each member stands holding a lighted candle as the funeral procession enters and leaves the church. (in accordance with local fire regulations)
   4. Line up each side of the sidewalk from the church to the hearse, holding lighted candles (depending on weather), again following the direction of the funeral director.
5. One member should be appointed to be responsible for order during the guard of honour to:
   1. instruct members where to sit or stand
   2. distribute, light and collect candles
   3. communicate with the presider and the funeral director
   4. ensure that respect and order is maintained by silence and quiet prayer.
6. If a funeral luncheon is needed for the family and friends, the following may be considered:
   1. lunch served at the church center or in the home
   2. council members donating or purchasing and preparing food
   3. in parishes with numerous funerals, councils purchase, prepare and serve the food, charging a nominal fee 
   4. prepare and serve the food that has been donated by the family
   5. serve a hot buffet or sandwiches and small cakes may be appropriate
   6. give the leftover food to the family or charity

The New Order of Christian Family (1990), states that only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. Flags or insignia of associations may be used during the vigil but should not be used during the Resurrection liturgy. In some parishes, the CWL pall is now being used on the ambo, on the side of the altar or on a side table with flowers, folded with only half showing. Where the League flag or banner is used it should be placed discreetly to the side of the sanctuary or place of assembly. If not used in the church, it may be appropriate to place it in the hall or center where the luncheon is being served.

Members could participate in the liturgy if requested by the presider or the family; i.e., candle bearer, altar assistant, reader, prayers of the faithful, resurrection choir, welcome/hospitality minister, etc.

As soon as possible, complete the Form For Reporting Deceased Members, signed by the council president and/or spiritual development chairperson. Send the completed form to national office.
Provincial chairpersons of spiritual development will review, revise as necessary, and approve a complete list of all deceased members for their province as compiled by national office for inclusion in the Book of Life.

(NOTE: the Book of Life is used at national, provincial and diocesan conventions as a symbol of those faithful deceased members. Many parish councils have also made a Book of Life for use at special CWL Eucharistic celebrations or prayer services).

Some parish councils hold a memorial prayer service for deceased members some time after the funeral, with the next regular meeting, or as a special service once a year in November. They may wish to prepare their own liturgical service or use the service found in the CWL Prayer Service for A Deceased Member, the Handbook for Spiritual Advisors, and the Ceremonies booklet.

Ministering to the bereaved family is the responsibility of the Christian community and is very important in the grieving process. Members have always played an active part by visiting the homes and offering support to families in any way possible.

BOOK of LIFE PROTOCOL
Councils on all levels should prepare a Book of Life to record the names of deceased members of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. During the opening ceremonies at convention, the Book of Life is placed on a stand or small table designated by the liturgy committee in the church sanctuary prior to the opening celebration. Following are suggestions to help in preparing a Book of Life:

1. Using a sturdy three-ring binder, cover the book with suitable material (e.g. velvet, satin), blue or white in colour with the League crest displayed on the front.
2. The title page should include the name of the council.
3. Use good quality paper to record the names which can either be printed, calligraphed, or typed.
4. At parish level, enter the name of the deceased member and the date of death, by year. At diocesan and provincial level, include the name of the CWL council.
5. At parish level, you might wish to include a page of information that contains a short write-up of the deceased member’s service to the League. This will be useful when writing historical items.
6. The names of national, provincial, diocesan and parish council presidents should be noted.
7. It would also be appropriate to include a list of deceased spiritual advisors in the Book
   of Life.

SAMPLE