“The Last Rites” This is a special Eucharistic service celebrated near the time of death.
Typically there will be an on-staff or volunteer chaplain available to administer “Holy Communion for the Dying.” If the facility doesn't provide a chaplain or minister, consider placing a call to your loved one's parish to request Viaticum.
Viati- cum is the final giving of Holy Communion to the sick person approaching death.
The Prayers of Commendation for the Dying and Prayers for the Dead are for patients nearing or at the time of death. These prayers can be offered by anyone (not just a Catholic priest) and can be a source of solace to the patient and loved ones.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, often referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for those in immediate danger of death but also for those suffering from physical, mental, or spiritual sickness.
“The Last Rites”
The proper celebration for those about to die is Viaticum, the last time that person receives the Body and Blood of Christ. This is a special Eucharistic service celebrated near the time of death. Viaticum may be administered by a priest, deacon or a trained layperson.
Last Rites are performed traditionally by Roman Catholic priests and are part of their responsibilities and duties within the Catholic Church. However, if a priest is unavailable, the sacraments can also be performed by a bishop, deacon, or trained layperson (a non-ordained member of the church).
The Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary says, “The Church prays for those who find themselves unable to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and of the Viaticum, entrusting each and every one to divine Mercy by virtue of the communion of saints and granting the faithful a Plenary Indulgence on the point ...
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2276) affirms that "those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect." As such, the Catechism views palliative care as a "special form of disinterested charity [that] should be encouraged" (2279).
What Are Last Rites? The Last Rights, or Viaticum, specifically refers to 3 sacraments. These are confession, the anointing of the sick, and final Holy Communion. Each of these is a way to cleanse a person's soul of sins in preparation for the afterlife.
“If the sacrament of anointing of the sick is given to all who suffer from serious illness and infirmity, even more rightly is it given to those at the point of departing this life; so it is also called sacramentum exeuntium (the sacrament of those departing).
In the Catholic Church, the anointing of the sick, also known as Extreme Unction, is a Catholic sacrament that is administered to a Catholic "who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age", except in the case of those who "persevere obstinately in manifest grave sin".
In the Catholic Church the Eucharist or Holy Communion is celebrated daily in the Mass. In most Protestant churches, communion is seen as a memorial of Christ's death. Catholics believe in transubstantiation - that the bread and wine are physically changed into the body and blood of Christ.
Priests are colloquially addressed as "Father" (abbreviated as "Fr.") before either their true name or last name, even their nickname. Reverend Father as a full title is similar to Anglican or Eastern Orthodox usage, in contrast to practice in some other English-speaking nations.
It is administered as soon as a person begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age (CCC 1514). The anointing of the sick can be given to anyone suffering from a serious illness or preparing for a complex procedure or operation. The same holds for an elderly person who is becoming more frail (CCC, 1515).
The last rites, also known as the Commendation of the Dying, are the last prayers and ministrations given to an individual of Christian faith, when possible, shortly before death. They may be administered to those awaiting execution, mortally injured, or terminally ill.
A good death is “one that is free from avoidable distress and suffering, for patients, family, and caregivers; in general accord with the patients' and families' wishes; and reasonably consistent with clinical, cultural, and ethical standards.”
A palliative approach to care addresses and manages a patient and families psychological, practical, social, loss/grief, spiritual and physical issues like pain and symptom management in line with their goals of care (GOC) and helps prepare for eventual life closure.
It's best to receive the graces of all the so-called “last rites,” including confession, anointing and Holy Communion, before death. If that's not possible, such as when death seems to be coming very quickly, don't hesitate to call a priest immediately and he will do what he can.
While a layperson could say prayers and bring Communion to someone at the point of death, a layperson cannot validly administer the last rites. The last rites involves anointing with holy oil and the absolution of sins, and only a validly ordained priest can administer that sacrament.
Catholics who are divorced and remarried outside of the Church may receive the Sacrament of Anointing and Last Rites if they are in danger of death. For more information about Anointing of the Sick or administration of the Last Rites, contact the parish office in the parish where you participate.
As a Catholic, may I be cremated? Yes. In May 1963, the Vatican's Holy Office (now the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith) lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation.
A person may be anointed more than once, especially if they take a “turn for the worse.” The elderly can be anointed when the frailties of age or dementia begin to take their toll. The Code of Canon Law provides that the last rites may be given to any Catholic disposed to receive them.
During the Concluding Rites, announcements may be made (if necessary) after the Prayer after Communion. The celebrant then blesses the people assembled. Sometimes, the blessing is very simple.