This is an exerpt from the ILDPH: Masses, Sacraments, and Funeral Liturgies can still occur using current safety measures which follow the Illinois Department of Public Health’s guidance for religious services. This means our churches can still offer Mass to the public, continuing to limit capacity to 25% and practicing safety measures such as mask wearing, safe distancing, and roping off every other pew. Offering other Sacraments can also continue using
those same safety measures. While the Tier 3 restrictions announced Nov. 17 by the Governor include that “funerals are limited to 10 family members of the decedents, not including staff,” it is our understanding that this refers to secular funeral gatherings and funeral homes, however, a Mass of Christian Burial comes under religious liberty/First Amendment protections and the IDPH Worship Guidance. Therefore, parishes in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois can still offer funeral liturgies, provided the aforementioned safety measures are used. We should remind the faithful of the ongoing dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation. We should also remind the faithful that anyone who is sick, awaiting a test result, or who has been recently exposed to someone with COVID should remain at home.
