Catholic Funerals

Here's a great article that explains the significance of a Catholic funeral mass and the correct way it should be performed, including some interesting tidbits regarding cremation.

The Catholic  funeral mass can be found in writings as early as the 4th century:

"St. Augustine made references to the Eucharist being offered at the last solemn rites of his mother, St. Monica, in 387.  

St. Gregory of Nyssa also gave a detailed description of the funeral liturgy, complete with Eucharistic offering, of his sister, St. Macrina the Younger, in 379. "
Clearly, the Eucharist was a central aspect of Christian life and death in the early Church.