Why is Saint Joseph of Arimathea the patron of funeral directors?

Because he personally buried Jesus. He asked Pilate for the body, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in his own new tomb. Burying the dead is a corporal work of mercy, and Joseph performed it for Christ, so the Church honors him as the patron of those whose work is the care and burial of the dead.

Is Saint Joseph of Arimathea in the Bible?

Yes. All four Gospels name him as the man who asked for the body of Jesus and buried it (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19). John adds that Nicodemus helped him and brought spices for the burial.

Saint Joseph of Arimathea — Patron Saint, Feast Day, and Prayer

Saint Joseph of Arimathea

Feast day: August 31

Patronage

·Patron of funeral directors
·Patron of undertakers and pallbearers
·The disciple who buried Christ

Life and witness

Saint Joseph of Arimathea is named in all four Gospels, always in the same role: the man who buried Jesus. He was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, and a secret disciple who had not spoken openly for fear of the authorities. After the crucifixion, he set that fear aside. He went to Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus, and was granted it.

What he did next is why the Church remembers him. He took the body down from the cross, wrapped it in clean linen, and laid it in a new tomb cut from rock, a tomb he had prepared for himself. Nicodemus came with him, bringing spices for the burial. Between them, two frightened men gave Christ a dignified grave when his closest followers had scattered.

For that reason Joseph of Arimathea is the patron of funeral directors, undertakers, and pallbearers, and of everyone whose work is the care of the dead. Burying the dead is one of the corporal works of mercy, and Joseph performed it for the Lord himself. His example gives quiet dignity to a job the world often looks away from.

At a Catholic funeral, Joseph is a fitting intercessor. His care for the body of Christ is the model for the Church's care for the body of every baptized person, treated with reverence because it was a temple of the Holy Spirit and will one day rise.

Prayer

Saint Joseph of Arimathea, who gave the Lord a place to be laid, pray for all who care for our dead, and for our beloved departed, that they may rest in the tomb as Christ did and rise as he rose.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Saint Joseph of Arimathea the patron of funeral directors?: Because he personally buried Jesus. He asked Pilate for the body, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in his own new tomb. Burying the dead is a corporal work of mercy, and Joseph performed it for Christ, so the Church honors him as the patron of those whose work is the care and burial of the dead.
Is Saint Joseph of Arimathea in the Bible?: Yes. All four Gospels name him as the man who asked for the body of Jesus and buried it (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19). John adds that Nicodemus helped him and brought spices for the burial.