Reports in national newspapers last week incorrectly suggested that Bishop Martin Drennan of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora had banned the reposing of remains in church overnight before a funeral Mass, which is a traditional part of the rites around the funeral. The reports stemmed from a letter from the bishop which was read at Mass in Liscannor church in Co Clare.
The letter stated that the local custom of greeting sympathisers at an open coffin in the church the night prior to a funeral Mass was not permitted.
Speaking on behalf of the bishop, who is currently in Lourdes, Fr Sean McHugh, the Diocesan Communications Officer said that the letter was merely laying out the normal diocesan policy.
''Diocesan policy is that the church building under no circumstances should be used as a funeral home, with an open coffin and the meeting and greeting of sympathisers,'' he said.
''The issue is the change of function of the church as a place of worship to a place for consoling, changing the focus away from the altar to the open coffin and changing a place of quiet reverence to a place of commotion and chat.''
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