NEWARK, N.J. -- Roman Catholic Archbishop John J. Myers has barred friends and relatives from delivering funeral eulogies, saying the tributes "are getting out of hand" and can distract from the purpose of the funeral Mass.
In a directive sent to Newark Archdiocese priests last week, Myers said clerics could still talk about the deceased during the funeral Mass homily, according to The Associated Press.
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.
"We have been getting more and more requests for eulogies, and this is not something that has been traditionally a part of Catholic funeral rites," said Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the archdiocese.
The decision angered many families.
"We felt it really wasn't asking a lot for family members to speak," said Mary Jo Dervos, whose family was not allowed to deliver eulogies during her grandmother's funeral Mass. "My grandmother was so devoted to the church. She was in the rosary society for 50 years. We believed the Mass was the most appropriate place."
Dervos said the priest suggested the eulogies be read at the wake but the family rejected the idea. Instead, they were given at a luncheon after the funeral.
