"At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist."
-Order of Christian Funerals, no. 4
Vigil Service (Wake)
This is held the night before the funeral and is a great time for family to give eulogies. Liturgy of the Word, or the Office of the Dead are appropriate services to offer during a vigil service.
Funeral Liturgy
The funeral Mass, is an oportunity to gather family and friends to praise God for Christ's victory over death, commend the dead to God's mercy, and find strengeth. Therefore the Funeral Liturgy is a worship. It is encouraged to have a Mass as part of the Funeral Liturgy, but a Liturgy can be celebrated absent the Mass.
Rite of Committal (Burial or Interment)
"The Rite of Committal, the conclusion of the funeral rite, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. It should normally be celebrated at the place of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment. In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses the hope that, with all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection. The Rite of Committal is an expression of the communion that exists between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven: the deceased passes with the farewell prayers of the community of believers into the welcoming company of those who need faith no longer, but see God face-to-face." USCCB