Catholics: remembering someone at mass. Can you explain?

[HippyDays]

My Dad died last year. He was brought up as a Catholic but as an adult did not go to Church and whatever views he held were very private to him and never discussed. I struggled at his funeral to know if he would want a religious service or not. I still don’t know if I got that right.

Another member of the family has told me he recently “arranged for him to be remembered at mass”. For some reason it has upset me - but in a grief way I think rather than any annoyance at them doing it, if that makes sense.

I suspect they were upset/struggling at not having a strictly religious funeral. I don’t know if Dad would have wanted it or not, but I’m pretty sure he would have understood this person’s need to do it and I think would have been fine with that.

i think what I am upset about is I wish I had known it was happening (but can see from their perspective that they see I am not religious so assume I would not be interested).

I need to get my head round this before I reply.

Can anyone explain what it means? What would have been involved?

It's a Catholic Insurance Policy - just to make sure he has a good word put in for him by as many people as possible.

I think it's a very kind thing for anybody to do because the Faith behind it means it's the most important thing they can do for somebody who has reached the end of their life.

We're not Catholic but my late Mum had a good friend who is very devout and she always remembers her anniversary and has prayers said for Mum in her Church. She even had my Mum's name read out in a service at the Vatican when she was visiting there. Not sure what my Mum would have thought about it as she was an equally devout Protestant,but I think she would have recognised it as an act of love and remembrance from someone who misses her. I find it strangely comforting even though I don't believe the same things. I think it's just knowing that other people are thinking of her too.