As the number of priests in Ireland continues to wane, people are increasingly facing unconventional services for their religious loved ones.

That’s according to Father Tim Hazelwood following warnings from the Association of Catholic Priests that more lay people will have to hold funerals in the future.

Fr Hazelwood told The Hard Shoulder many priests he knows are now spread thin leading funeral masses.

“I have a friend who had four funerals last week, and he was covering two other parishes plus his own,” he said.

“The same amount of people are dying, but the priests are less, and the priests are older.”

He said this is particularly difficult for older generations.

“People who are dying are people who grew up practicing Catholics, who go to mass, who have a huge love of mass – and the family want that for them,” he said.

“For them, [the shortage] would be a huge loss.”

'Now it can't be when you wanted'

Fr Hazelwood predicted families will soon be asked to wait longer to have a Catholic funeral for their loved one.

“It could be three days later, it could be four days later,” he said.

“We have a tradition in Ireland – but now it can’t be when you wanted.”

Fr Hazelwood pointed out people don’t have to have a formal mass for a funeral.

“In other parts of the world where there’s huge Catholic populations but they don’t have a priest, there's people within the community who would minister and provide a service,” he said.

Catholic funeral ceremony. Image: agefotostock / Alamy Stock Photo

“In parts of Dublin at the moment, in Cork, we have funeral teams who would meet the families, maybe do the prayers.

“Some undertakers are now saying the prayers in the funeral homes, and the priest is just there for the mass.”

Humanist ceremony

Radio presenter Ruth Scott has also become a Humanist celebrant, speaking at non-religious funerals.

She told the show even people who aren’t religious deserve a proper funeral.

“There is something cathartic in having that opportunity to come together,” she said.

“We are nothing if we don't have our rituals - just because somebody isn't religious doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to avail of this.”

A white coffin in a mortuary with a flower arrangement. Image: Robert Hoetink / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Scott explained Humanist ceremonies are not ant-religious, but allow people to have funerals more unique to their wishes.

“There’s a water cremation place in Navan now,” she said.

“It's lovely how Humanist funerals can very often be an opportunity to celebrate the person's life.”

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