August 1, 2025
In the book “Mother Teresa: A Call to Mercy,” Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, the postulator of her cause for canonization, writes about her total commitment to the sick and dying, in particular her observance of the Corporal Work of Mercy to bury the dead. He says:
“The same delicate care that Mother Teresa showed to the dying was expressed as well in her attention to the dead. She showed great reverence for the innate dignity of every human being, independent of their social status, race, or religion, treating everyone with utmost respect.
This was particularly evident in the Home for the Dying (Kalighat), where, while battling for the survival of those on the edge of death, she would make sure that those who died had funeral rites done according to the practices of their respective religions. She could have easily been excused from such effort, as it could have been considered exaggerated, or even extravagant, when there was so much to do for the sick.
However, she wanted to show this delicate love even after the person had passed on to eternity. Whatever pertained to the dignity of the human person was important and sacred, deserving of every respect to the very end.”
Regarding the proper practices for us as Catholics, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says: “Because of our belief not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the resurrection of the body, the Church professes hope in the face of death, and acts with charity in the funeral rites. The Church provides a number of prayers for the faithful to offer both to accompany the dying of a loved one and to strengthen our faith upon their death. Through private prayer and public funeral rites, we strengthen our faith and hope, comfort those who mourn, and bury the bodily remains of the deceased with care befitting what was the Temple of the Holy Spirit.”
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