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About the author
Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., is an American canon lawyer who practices law and teaches in Rome. She founded this website to provide clear answers to canonical questions asked by ordinary Catholics, without employing all the mysterious legalese that canon lawyers know and love. In the past Cathy has published articles both in scholarly journals and on various popular Catholic websites, including Real Presence Communications and Catholic Exchange.-
Canon lawyers are not responsible for the content of canon law. The Supreme Legislator is. Only Pope Francis can change the Code of Canon Law, so if you're not happy with what the law says, please take it up with him.
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canonlawmadeeasy@yahoo.com
Please check the Archives first–it’s likely your question was already addressed.
Unsigned/anonymous questions are not read, much less answered (why is it necessary even to mention this?).
Tag Archives: funeral
Can a Lapsed Catholic Have a Catholic Funeral?
Q: My girlfriend’s grandfather stopped going to church after Vatican II, because he didn’t like all the changes in the Mass. Now he’s getting old and the family is thinking about the possibility of an upcoming funeral, since he hasn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged canon law, Catholic, funeral, sacrament
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Catholic Funerals and Physician-Assisted Suicide
Q: There was a funeral at our parish recently for someone who had committed suicide. My mother was surprised, and told me that suicides didn’t used to get Catholic funerals, because killing oneself is a mortal sin. I assume the … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, funeral, suicide
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What Does the Church Really Say About Cremation?
Q: We would like to spread my husband’s grandparents’ remains and I would like to arrange to have their ashes blessed. Do you have a suggestion for making arrangements? –Kristine A: Very few Catholics today understand what the Church teaches about … Continue reading
Can a Public Sinner Have a Catholic Funeral?
Q: When opera star Luciano Pavarotti died in Italy in 2007, he had a big funeral in a Catholic church. Lots of famous people attended, and the bishop was there. Even the Pope issued a statement saying positive things about … Continue reading
Posted in Annointing of the Sick, Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, funeral, Pavarotti
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Can a Non-Catholic be Given a Catholic Funeral?
Q: I am a Catholic, and my husband of nearly 50 years is a member of the Assembly of God, a protestant church that’s popular down South, where he’s originally from. We were married in the Catholic Church and we … Continue reading
Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, funeral
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