On behalf of Our Lady of the Holy Family Parish and the staff we extend our sincerest condolences on the death of your loved one. Be assured of our prayers for them and for you
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
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The first step is to contact a Funeral Home; a Funeral director will be instrumental in guiding you through this process. Once you have established a Funeral Home, they will contact us to help schedule a day and time for the Funeral Mass. Discuss with your funeral director if you would like the funeral mass in English or Spanish.
Once the date and time have been established, Our Parish will assist you in planning the funeral for your loved one. The musician will be picked based on what language you decide. Please note that all selections performed at Our Lady of the Holy Family, will be sung by a cantor only, not a choir. VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED (Wake)Visitation - May occur at the funeral home or the Church. Please talk with the funeral director about these options. Please let the Funeral Director know if you would like a Priest or a Deacon to attend the Wake. Liturgy Planning Liturgy - The priest who presides at the funeral liturgy is to be consulted regarding all the details of the Mass including the choice of Scripture readings. Deacons may preside at wakes and cemetery burials. Consider the following and share the following information with parish staff during your in-office appointment or phone appointment. Readings: Choose one reading from each category: First Reading Second Reading Gospel Music - Choose 4 Songs. Involving of Family and Friends Please discuss and provide the names of anyone from your family, or friends, that would like to participate in proclaiming either of the Old or New Testament readings and/or the General Intersessions. Please discuss and provide the names of anyone from your family, or friends, who would like to bring up the gifts at the Offertory (i.e. Bread and Wine.) Please discuss and provide the name of anyone from your family, or friends, who will be making remarks of remembrance (eulogy). We would ask that the remarks be kept to no more than 3 to 5 minutes. This person will be invited to come up to the podium after Communion and before the final farewell. The family is encouraged to share longer stories at the Funeral Vigil or at a gathering following the Mass. Please write down some thoughts about the deceased that you would like included in the homily. These can include how long someone was married, how many children & grandchildren they had, their occupation, hobbies and any other pertinent facts about their life (i.e., they loved to travel, loved to dance, etc.)he following are [optional] ways you can have loved ones participate in the funeral liturgy. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL (Funeral Mass)The body may or may not be present for the Mass. If present, the ceremony begins at the entrance to the church with ceremonies that recall our Baptism because the deceased is entering a “new life” of faith just as he or she did at Baptism. When the casket is blessed with Holy Water, it is then covered with the Pall (a large white cloth covering that is symbolic of our Baptism). After processing down the aisle, the pall bearers and family take their place in the pews and the Funeral Mass continues. If there are cremains instead of a casket, the cremains will be blessed with Holy Water and carried by a family member(s). There is no Pall for the cremains. RITE OF COMMITTAL (Cemetery Service)The third and final part of the funeral liturgy occurs at the cemetery. A Deacon or the Pastor from the parish leads a brief prayer to help those who are mourning leave their loved one in the hands of God. |
Must Catholics have a Funeral Mass?
While a Funeral within Mass is preferable, a Funeral outside of Mass is also possible. Mass is not required to be celebrated along with the Funeral service itself. The survivors and the priest should consider the wishes of the deceased as well as those of the persons who will be gathering for the funeral. A Funeral outside of Mass also commends the deceased to God’s care while celebrating the mystery of God in life and death. If most of those who will attend the Funeral will have had little experience of the Catholic Mass and will not be qualified to receive the Eucharist at Mass, then a Funeral Service outside of Mass should be considered.
Is cremation allowed in the Catholic practice?
Cremation is an acceptable alternative to the burial of the deceased’s body. If the deceased is to be cremated this may be accomplished either before or after the Funeral service. In order to have a Funeral Service the deceased’s cremated remains must be brought to the church. If cremation is to occur after the Funeral, the funeral home may provide a temporary casket to have the body present during the wake and the Funeral.
Why should I consider a Catholic cemetery for my deceased loved one?
A grave in a Catholic cemetery is a sign of hope in God and in His promise of everlasting life. Such a cemetery is a consecrated burial place for the use of all the members of the Catholic Church. There, the deceased await the resurrection of the dead and the promise of eternal life.
Why does the Funeral Mass begin at the church doors?
Funeral Masses begin at the doors of the church as our loved one is brought back into the church one last time. Just as the deceased was welcomed into the Church on the day of Baptism, washed free of sin in the font, and clothed in a white garment, so we welcome the deceased back into the church, washed again with baptismal holy water, and clothed in the white baptismal garment that is the funeral pall.
Why is incense used at a funeral?
Incense is used during the funeral as a sign of reverence for the altar of the Lord’s sacrifice, His Gospel Good News, His Eucharist, and the body of his member, the deceased, which through baptism became the temple of His Holy Spirit. Incense is also a sign of the community’s prayers for the deceased rising to the throne of God.
Who should receive Holy Communion at a Funeral Mass?
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Mass when we receive Holy Communion, the true Body and Blood of the Lord. Yet, we Catholics should receive Holy Communion only when we are living in communion with the Catholic Church and in the state of sanctifying grace and have made the appropriate fast from food and drink. Because of the connection we draw between being in full communion with the Catholic Church and receiving Holy Communion, we cannot invite those who are not Catholic to share in Holy Communion with us. Still, we welcome all to the celebration of the Mass as our brothers and sisters, and pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit will one day draw us closer “...that all may be one.” (John 17:22)
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