Some of us likely don't have even last rites to look forward to, never mind a Catholic burial or assisting at mass.
Wow, DZ, talk about coming back to earth with a bang. Now there is a subject Graceseeker has been looking for, probably one of the most important statements to be concerned about in our lives. The last rites - I think - guarantee you will not go to hell, so every Catholic should pray to God that they will get them before they die.
I can tell you a story about these rites. My brother, Lord rest his soul, was absent from his faith for 40 years. He knew I was the only sibling of 8 to be an active Catholic in adulthood. We prayed for him. He had kidney failure and was in hospital on dialysis. I visited him one day and he said to me 'You will be happy to hear I got Holy Communion this morning. A priest came around the ward and asked if I would like Holy Communion, I said I would but had not been to confession for many years. 'Well then, said the priest, would you like that confession now, no time like the present.' Yes, I said, got a general confession and then holy Communion.' I am convinced his thoughts about me helped his decision.
Joe was discharged from hospital and returned to his apartment where he lived alone at the time. A week later I got a phone call to say Joe had an asthma attack and had been rushed to hospital by a friend. Before he died I heard that same priest was in the hospital and gave him the last rites.
I truly believe if we ask God to provide the last rites to us, somehow we stand a chance to get them. Every time I hear of a friend or acquaintance who died I ask if they got the last rites.
That said I am happy to say I live close to 4 traditional priests, so long as I do not pop off when on holiday or something.
I hope DZ you are not one that lives in a place where it is unlikely you will get the Last rites.
Finally, it comforted me a lot when a priest I admire a lot told us that if you have ten seconds, nay, five seconds before that lorry or train kills you, say MY JESUS MERCY, and that will keep you out of Hell, but not Purgatory.
Now then Graceseeker, is this subject more to your liking?