Galway funeral rules are not an open or shut case

GALWAY County Council will contact Bishop Michael Duignan and Pope Leo XIV’s representative in Ireland seeking clarity on church reposing rules for funerals, and to urge the church to permit open coffin viewings amid concerns about inconsistent practices between parishes.

Published 30th Apr 2026, 18:31 BST Updated 30th Apr 2026, 18:41 BST Galway Cathedral | Avril Horan GALWAY County Council will contact Bishop Michael Duignan and Pope Leo XIV’s representative in Ireland seeking clarity on church reposing rules for funerals, and to urge the church to permit open coffin viewings amid concerns about inconsistent practices between parishes. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

The decision was taken despite advice from Chief Executive Liam Conneally who cautioned councillors against intervening in religious matters. The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Regan, who said that while open coffin reposing is permitted in some churches across the dioceses of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, and Clonfert, it is not allowed in many others.

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“In Clare, they seem to be able to do what they want to do,” said Cllr Regan.

“They are allowed to have the open viewing of remains inside the church. But in Clonfert and Galway, it is not allowed. It doesn't make sense. If a priest dies, what does he do? They will lay him out in the church. So it's not fair. They are annoying people and turning them away from the church.”

Cllr Regan told the meeting that this issue affects “from the bridge in Portumna down as far as Ennistymon” and it is “turning people away from the church”.

In particular, he said is has caused frustration and upset especially where deceased parishioners had given decades of service.

“People have given 50, 60 or 70 years looking after the church… and when they pass away, they are refused permission to use it,” he said.

What will happen is the doors will be open front and back and there will be no-one but the birds flying in.”

He also highlighted practical difficulties at funerals, with large attendances leading to long queues outside, often in poor weather conditions.

“You can queue for an hour and a half… and it’s raining outside,” he said, adding that allowing reposing in churches could provide a more suitable setting for mourners.

“Open the doors to everybody,” he continued. “If we don't, we are leaving people behind. This is another slap in the face of people by not letting them in. And if you don't, what will happen is the doors will be open front and back and there will be no-one but the birds flying in.”

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Fellow Fianna Fáil councillor Gerry Finnerty said that in some cases families were required to travel significant distances to funeral homes, and questioned why local churches could not be used.

“In our own parish, we had two funerals in the one town,” he said. “One family had to go miles to a funeral parlour. Why are we not allowed to use the church?”

Churches are used when people are alive, why shouldn't they be used when people are dead.

As a former parish priest, Independent Ireland councillor Declan Kelly said he was surprised the issue had arisen and suggested that any such restriction would be strongly contested at parish level.

“If I had been told as a parish priest by my bishop that they were not allowed to sit inside the church, we would be having a serious falling out.” he said.

He also proposed directing correspondence to the Pope’s representative, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor.

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Cllr Tomás Ó Curraoín (RepSF) pointed to examples in Turloughmore and Corofin where mourners were accommodated indoors, avoiding long queues and said “it has worked a treat”.

“Churches are used when people are alive, why shouldn't they be used when people are dead,” he said.

“I wouldn’t expect a bishop to write to me about local government matters – while he might have a concern,” he said. “We need to be careful we are not straying into religious territory. We should not be advising the religious orders how to do their business.”

The council nonetheless agreed to write to Bishop Michael Duignan and the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland on the matter.

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In response, Diocesan Communications Officer, Fr Diarmuid Hogan said this policy refers only to the holding of a wake with public viewing and social interaction, which, he explained “is more appropriate to the home of the bereaved family or a funeral home”.

“The policy fully allows for the long-held tradition of celebrating the Funeral Reception Rite wherein the remains of a deceased person in a closed coffin are prayerfully welcomed to the sacred space of the church to repose overnight or for some nights, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, prior the celebration of the funeral Mass,” said Fr Hogan, Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.

Related topics: Councillors Churches Galway Galway County Council Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.