'The church is not a parish hall': Leitrim parishes directed to stop wakes in Churches

A letter sent to funeral directors has stated that the practice of holding wakes in churches in South Leitrim must stop.

The practice began in recent years in some parishes, where churches were used for wakes due to their accessibility and parking facilities, with the permission of local priests, instead of funeral homes or private houses.

The decision to end the practice from February 9th was made by Bishop Paul Connell, of the Ardagh and Clonmacnois, which covers parts of south Leitrim and Longford.

In a letter, Bishop Connell said that using churches in a manner similar to funeral homes “breaks with the tradition that we hold.”

“I am directing that in parishes where the practice of reposing in churches has not begun, that these parishes do not introduce the practice,” he said.

The move has been described as “very disappointing” by some local parishioners, who felt the practice was helpful due to the ample parking and central location of churches in rural areas, making things easier for bereaved families.

Bishop Connell defended the decision, saying he was just maintaining the traditions of Catholic burial, where a body reposes at home before being brought to the church and then to the final resting place.

“The church is not a parish hall,” he said, adding that parish and community halls may still be used for wakes if need be, while bodies can still repose overnight before funeral Masses.

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He said the church is a space for prayer and worship, and that wakes disturb the sacred nature of the building where the Blessed Sacrament is held.

However, the Bishop stressed that the convenience of churches as venues does not mean they will be made available to parishioners.

“There is no question,” he wrote, “That the demand for reposing in churches has come about not just because there is a lack of venue available,” while also blaming the “perceived” high cost of using funeral homes by comparison, calling on funeral directors to “offer their facilities at reasonable rates.”

A local funeral director has said that there is “no foundation” to that claim, adding: “There is nothing wrong with funeral homes. There’s a set rate there, and they are entitled to it.”

The reason is people in the country don’t want to go to funeral homes in towns, “while their own church is sitting there idle,” they added.

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There have been calls for Bishop Connell to meet with parishioners to hear their concerns, and reportedly, committees have been formed regarding this issue in Bornacoola and Annaduff. The Bishop has told the Observer he would be willing to meet with locals and hear their concerns.

Guidelines vary between dioceses, with decisions on funeral protocols ultimately resting with each Bishop. Responding to criticism that parishioners were not consulted, Bishop Connell said it was his responsibility to oversee the diocese and that the practice had begun without consultation with him.

“Consultation goes both ways,” he said.