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The Catechism in Questions & Answers

685. What is a church funeral?

The church funeral is a divine service that provides comfort and strength to the bereaved. This comfort consists primarily of hope in the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead in Christ associated with it, and the future reunion with them (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18).
The word proclaimed in the funeral service also applies to the immortal soul of the departed, which is commended to the grace of God.
The mourners assembled for the funeral service surround the bereaved in order to demonstrate their sympathy and impart a feeling of security. Beyond that, they thereby pay their last respects to the deceased.