Archdiocese of Davao: to discontinue Arancel System on Funeral

The office of the Archbishop of Davao has released its 34th circular on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 concerning the discontinuation of the arancel related to funeral and wake masses and funeral blessings.

The “arancel system” is an old traditional way of generating financial support from the faithful. In its simplest form, we give this payment to the parishes whenever we request for services such as funeral and wake masses, which in turn used for their expenses.

As part of our celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines, the CBCP decided to implement in a more focused way, what PCP II envisioned as the eventual abrogation of the Arancel System. In a Pastoral Statement on Stewardship on 28 January, 2021, the CBCP proposed the spirit of stewardship as a new way of developing the sense of being responsible for the Church and thus to provide for its needs.

The bishops around Davao have decided that this stopping or cessation of the Arancel System will be done gradually and that the discontinuation of this system for wake and funeral masses as well as funeral blessings will be the first to be implemented.

This circular will be formally announced today April 24, in all parishes within the Archdiocese of Davao.