Directives have been published by the Church with regards to the holding of a funeral Mass, which start from today.

The announcement was made following the meeting between the Bishops of Malta and Gozo and the Health Authorities.

The Church said that these directives lay down measures to protect the health of everyone attending Mass.

The Funeral Mass will be held in the open, as in cemeteries or on the church parvis, or only in large churches with a limited number of people.

Churches where funerals can be held must be larger than 500 square metres, while the maximum number of people who can enter the church is 20 people.

The Church said that in the current circumstances preference should be given to open-air celebrations.

Procedures are to be observed before, during and after Mass. The place where the funeral Mass will be held will be prepared with special signs indicating spaces where people can sit during the liturgical celebration.

Upon arrival, a person wearing a mask or visor will take the temperature of those attending using a non-contact thermometer and then indicate to use a hand sanitiser that will be available. Anyone with a fever, or who does not cooperate, will not be allowed to attend Mass.

During Mass there should be no physical contact with other persons, including during the granting of peace.

For Communion, people are asked to stay in their place and the priest, wearing a mask or visor will approach them to give them the Host after first washing his hands with sanitiser.

The statement of faith in which the priest says “The Body of Christ” and the person answers “Amen” will only be said once from the altar.

At the end of the Mass, those present for the funeral must depart in an orderly manner maintaining social distance measures. After Mass benches or chairs will be disinfected.

Detailed measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus have been communicated to the parish priests by the Bishops over the past days.

Photo: Curia

Permalink: Directives issued regarding funeral Masses which can start today