83-Mass of the Resurrection and burial
The Mass of the Resurrection took place in St. James Cathedral on July 3, 1997. It was a beautiful ceremony and a fitting way to commemorate the life and ministry of Archbishop Murphy. Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, WA was the principal celebrant. Four archbishops, 25 bishops and more than 150 priests from the Archdiocese of Seattle and points across the United States concelebrated the Mass. The Very Reverend George Thomas, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Seattle, gave a heartfelt and inspiring eulogy. More than 2,000 people attended the Mass. A number of elected officials including Gov. Gary Locke, Senator Patty Murray, Seattle Mayor Norm Rice and many members of Congress were also present.
Northwest Cable News broadcast the funeral Mass live – the first telecast of its kind in the history of the archdiocese. The Rev. James Eblen, a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle who participated on the broadcast team commented, “I think Archbishop Murphy is as pleased as everything that there’s such a wonderful response to his life and ministry. But because he was so down to earth, a common man, he’d be a little bit embarrassed by it all. It’s a bit too much. This Irish kid from Chicago have such a show as this. But, he would love it I think.”
Archbishop Murphy elected to have his mortal remains interred in the Episcopal Crypt below the main altar in St. James Cathedral. Six priests recently ordained by Archbishop Murphy lowered his casket into the crypt as a lone bagpiper in the knave of the cathedral played “Amazing Grace.”