When faced with the mystery of death and the sorrow of loss, Catholic people rightly turn to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as our greatest and most powerful prayer. This is especially true at the time that someone dies. Every Catholic should have the benefit of a Funeral Mass offered for the salvation of his or her soul. This should be done for each of us, without question.  Afterwards, family and friends should arrange for other Masses to be offered for that person, as signs of friendship; expression of consolation; and, for the most important purpose, helping that person, if his or her soul went to purgatory, to
more swiftly be released from there and welcomed into heaven. 

Thanks to God’s mercy as revealed in the Scriptures, faithful people trying to live their lives with Christ need not worry that they are going to hell, where souls will never see God. But, even if we are so fortunate as to be going to heaven, we still need to make up for the consequences of sins.

Who of us with humility and common sense feels worthy to see the face of God right now if we should die suddenly? We know we are sinners and need to make up for those
sins. Therefore, we want our family and community to pray for us at Mass when we die. And in the months and years that follow, we want them to offer Masses for our souls so that if any stain continues or barrier exists, we may be swiftly cleansed and cross that divide into paradise through the merits of Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross, which is renewed for us at each Mass.