Liturgical Ministers

The celebration of the funeral liturgy is especially entrusted to pastors and parochial vicars.  When no priest is available, deacons preside at the funeral rites.  When no priest or deacon is available for the vigil, the rite of committal, or related rites, a layperson presides.

Other liturgical ministers (readers, musicians, pall bearers, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, altar servers, etc.) should normally assist in celebrating the funeral liturgy.  Their participation actively speaks to the obligation of the believing faithful to console those who mourn.