So if someone who isn't in the state of grace and quite comfortable with not being in the state of grace goes to a relative's burial ceremony, what's the proper thing to do? Not going forward to receive communion? Isn't that douchy?
That's exactly what you're supposed to do - not go to the altar to receive. However, in the past, when the priest was saying prayers at the funeral home the night before the mass, he would also offer a group absolution to those in attendance so that everyone could receive Communion at the mass the next day. I guess they don't do that anymore??
