The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore has issued a letter from Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan to all parishes regarding a new general norm to avoid the celebration of funeral Masses on Sundays.
The decision follows a discussion at a recent meeting of the Senate of Priests, where clergy shared their growing difficulty in managing the pastoral and liturgical demands of Sunday funerals.
The Bishop of Waterford & Lismore has sent a letter to all parishes in his Diocese informing them of a new general rule to avoid celebrating funeral Masses on Sundays apart from exceptional circumstances for pastoral reasons.
The Diocese of Waterford & Lismore said the decision was made a recent meeting of the Senate of Priests of the Diocese where clergy shared their growing difficulty in managing the pastoral and liturgical demands of Sunday funerals.
In a statement, the Diocese outlined that 1,176 funerals took place in its parishes in south Tipperary and county Waterford last year.
“This underscores the significant workload borne by parish clergy—particularly over weekends when Sunday Masses, baptisms, and other responsibilities are already scheduled.
“The new guideline encourages that, as a general rule, funerals should not take place on Sundays.
"However, Bishop Cullinan recognises that exceptional pastoral circumstances—such as cemetery closures—may warrant flexibility.
The statement outlined that the main reasons cited for the change include:
The impact on regular Sunday Mass-goers, who may feel a funeral is being added to or overshadowing the normal liturgy.
The difficulty of giving a homily that appropriately reflects both the Sunday readings and the funeral context.
Overcrowding in churches and the risk of a family's bereavement being diminished within the larger Sunday celebration.
The added strain on clergy already committed to multiple Sunday Masses and other sacraments.
The current shortage of priests in the diocese.
In his letter to parishes, Bishop Cullinan noted that many parishes have already adopted a policy of not scheduling Sunday funerals.
“If we had more priests, bereaved families could be accommodated on Sundays but as we do not have a surplus of priests, we must not overburden the priests who minister in our parishes,” he pointed out
He concluded the letter by expressing expressing the hope parishioners “see the wisdom of the reasons given” for the “creation of this general norm”.
The Dioceses of Waterford is encouraging parishioners to read the full letter, which has been circulated to all parishes across the diocese.