Eulogies From Friends, Relatives Are Banned

Catholic Archbishop John J. Myers has barred friends and relatives of the deceased from delivering eulogies at funeral Masses, saying the tributes “are getting out of hand” and can distract from the purpose of the Mass.

In a directive sent to Newark archdiocese priests last week, Myers said a cleric could still talk about the deceased during the homily.

But any tributes from families and friends should be read before or after the Mass, preferably in a side chapel or at graveside, and should be delivered by one person, he said.