Cardinal George Pell of the Archdiocese of Sydney and Australia’s senior Roman Catholic cleric issued guidelines concerning lay eulogies at funeral Masses. He requested that those remembering deceased loved ones at funeral refrain from recounting drinking bouts and sexual conquests. Additionally, he imposed a five-minute limit on these panegyrics.
“On not a few occasions, inappropriate remarks glossing over the deceased’s proclivities (drinking prowess, romantic conquests, etc) or about the Church (attacking its moral teachings) have been made at funeral Masses,” said the cardinal’s directive. Such remarks, Cardinal Pell, averred are embarrassing to the family members present and officiating priests.
The cardinal said that “words of remembrance” should reflect on “a person’s human qualities and faith”. Furthermore, “The reflection should be prepared beforehand, and ideally be reviewed with the priest or presiding minister beforehand, to avoid undue length or embarrassing situations.” Poems and anecdotes, tributes and memories would be more appropriate at a cemetery or at an evening vigil, said the directive.
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