Can you have a funeral Mass on a holy day of obligation?
It depends on the date.
No, when the holy day is a solemnity of obligation. When the US lifts the obligation (January 1, August 15 or November 1 on a Saturday or Monday), a funeral Mass is allowed.
Church law (GIRM 380; Diocese of Erie, Liturgical Year 2026). Your parish sets the schedule.
The rule
“Among the Masses for the Dead, the Funeral Mass holds first place. It may be celebrated on any day except for Solemnities that are Holydays of Obligation, Thursday of Holy Week (Holy Thursday), the Paschal Triduum, and the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, with due regard also for all the other requirements of the norm of the law.”
The next dates
| Date | Day | Funeral Mass |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 1, 2026 | All Saints | No funeral Mass |
| Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the USA | No funeral Mass |
| Friday, December 25, 2026 | The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) | No funeral Mass |
| Friday, January 1, 2027 | The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God | No funeral Mass |
| Sunday, August 15, 2027 | The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | No funeral Mass |
| Monday, November 1, 2027 | All Saints | A funeral Mass is allowed |
| Wednesday, December 8, 2027 | The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the USA | No funeral Mass |
| Saturday, December 25, 2027 | The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) | No funeral Mass |
| Saturday, January 1, 2028 | The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God | A funeral Mass is allowed |
| Tuesday, August 15, 2028 | The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | No funeral Mass |
| Wednesday, November 1, 2028 | All Saints | No funeral Mass |
| Friday, December 8, 2028 | The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the USA | No funeral Mass |
| Monday, December 25, 2028 | The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) | No funeral Mass |
| Monday, January 1, 2029 | The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God | A funeral Mass is allowed |
| Wednesday, August 15, 2029 | The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | No funeral Mass |
| Thursday, November 1, 2029 | All Saints | No funeral Mass |
| Saturday, December 8, 2029 | The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of the USA | No funeral Mass |
| Tuesday, December 25, 2029 | The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) | No funeral Mass |
Computed from the liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the United States (romcal), the same calendar as Today in the Church. Check any other date with the funeral Mass date checker.