Search
Funerals
-
Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed, not ended. ~Prayer from the Funeral Liturgy
These words, taken from the Preface of the Funeral Mass for the burial of a Catholic person, sum up our belief about death.
As Catholic Christians, we celebrate the Funeral Mass in order to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now returned to Him. The celebration of the Catholic funeral rites is a way to remind us of God's mercy, ask God to grant the departed forgiveness of any sins they may have committed, and give hope and consolation to the bereaved during this time of grief and sorrow.
The clergy and staff of our parish are here to support you with our prayers and to assist you in preparing for and celebrating a beautiful and meaningful Catholic funeral liturgy.
May the God of hope give you the fullness of peace and consolation at this difficult time.
Please see below for some information provided to help you prepare for meeting with our staff to plan a funeral. -
-
The following information is provided to help you prepare for your meeting with the pastor and other staff members to plan the Funeral Mass. Do not make any definitive plans or choices, assign tasks, or establish dates until these are confirmed with the pastor.
-
The Catholic Funeral RiteThe Catholic funeral Rite consists of three parts:
1. The Vigil Service (Optional)
The Vigil Service includes Scripture readings and prayers for the deceased and for those who grieve. It may also include some decades of the rosary. It is a time for family and friends to offer prayerful support to those who are grieving.
The Vigil is usually conducted by a priest or deacon and normally takes place in the funeral home the day before the Funeral Mass. The Vigil service is also a most appropriate time for chosen family or friends to share remembrances about the deceased.
The Mass is the central and highest prayer that can be offered for the deceased. During the celebration of the Mass, we pray both for the grace-filled passage of the soul of a loved one to the Lord, and for the consolation and solace for their family and friends.
2. The Funeral MassLocation of the Funeral Mass
The Church presumes that the Funeral Mass will take place in the parish church of the deceased. Sometimes, due to particular circumstances, it may be celebrated in another parish church. In the Diocese of Oakland, the Bishop has allowed Funeral Masses to take place in Catholic cemetery chapels for limited and exceptional circumstances. Reasons such as convenience and proximity to the location of a reception following the funeral are not reasons for an exception. We cannot be responsible for promises or assurances made by cemetery personnel or others contrary to this policy. Check with the pastor BEFORE making any plans in this regard.Scheduling the time of the Funeral
The date and time for the funeral is decided in consultation and agreement with the parish. We will do everything possible to accommodate a family's request - however, because of a variety of schedules, activities, and functions at the parish and for the clergy we may not be able to accommodate every request.Funeral Masses are generally scheduled Monday through Friday in the morning hours. There can be exceptions, but funerals are never celebrated on Sundays, during Holy Week, or on Holy Days of Obligation.
Scripture ReadingsThe Scripture readings for the Liturgy of the Word are an essential part of every Mass. Below, you will find a link to a selection of Scripture readings from which to choose. Please use the translation of the scriptures provided in that link. A copy of each of the readings you choose will be placed in the ambo (pulpit) for the readers. Feel free to look them over before your meeting with the priest so you have selections to propose.Scripture Options
Readers
You may choose people to proclaim the first two Readings of the Mass. A reader should be a practicing Catholic who knows the general flow of the Mass. They should be someone able to maintain their composure and poise as they publicly proclaim Scripture passages, given the challenging emotions that naturally accompany a funeral. They must be available for a rehearsal prior to the Funeral Mass.
Music for the FuneralMusic at the funeral allows the community to express its faith in ways that words alone may fail to fully convey. The emotions of sorrow and pain, of fear and trust, or loss and hope that are so intertwined in times of death and grieving can find meaningful expression in a careful and prayerful selection of the hymns for the funeral. The parish music director will help you choose appropriate music and hymns for the Funeral Mass. The selection of music should be liturgically appropriate - usually music and hymns that would be appropriate for Sunday Mass.Altar Servers
The parish will provide altar servers to assist at the Funeral Mass.Optional parts of the Funeral:
Flowers
If you wish to have flowers at the funeral, they may either be brought by the funeral director from the funeral home, or sent directly to the church. They are to be placed so as not to obscure the altar, ambo, or tabernacle, nor block passage of ministers in the sanctuary and Communion line. A parish staff person will assist with and determine the appropriate placement and display of flowers.Words of Remembrance
In considering this option, be aware that most priests try to weave aspects of the life of the deceased into the homily of a Funeral Mass.If you wish that some words of remembrance about the deceased be shared, the ideal time for that is at the optional Vigil Service the day before the Funeral Mass.If for some reason this is not possible, here are the other options for Words of Remembrance:- At a reception following the funeral
- At the cemetery following the committal
- At a time prior to the scheduled start of the Funeral Mass - if this option is chosen, only one speaker may speak and is limited to no more than 5 minutes
Reception
We do have a room connected to the church that is available for a reception following the Funeral Mass. Availability can be confirmed upon your meeting with the priest.3. The Final Committal
The final act of saying farewell takes place in a brief service at the graveside, mausoleum, or chapel where the body or ashes are to be buried or entombed. The customary place for burial is in consecrated ground in a Catholic cemetery.
Cremated remains should be treated with the same respect given to the remains of a human body, and should be entombed or buried. The scattering of cremated remains on the ground or on the sea, or the keeping of any portion of the remains in individual containers is inappropriate and not the reverent final disposition that the Church directs. Similarly, keeping the remains in the home is also not appropriate or respectful. -
Fees and Gifts
Use of the Church $300 Use of the Parish Hall (Optional; fee is hourly) In addition to the hourly rental fees, use of the Parish Hall also includes an insurance cost required by the Diocese that the parish secretary will assist you with Cantor/Music Director $275 Includes meeting with the family to select appropriate music, prepare the music, coordinate rehearsals, sound equipment, etc. and other details at the Mass Accompanist $200 Pianist/organist prepares, rehearses, and plays music at the Funeral Priest NO FEE There is no fee for the services of the priest. You may, if you so desire, give a gift to the priest in appreciation for his assistance and services. This is separate from any other fees. Committal Service Only $100 There is a fee for the Committal Service ONLY IF no Funeral Mass has taken place -
Things to Think About (before meeting with the priest)
Have you thought about...
...the Scripture Readings, or have you decided to have the priest choose them? Click here to see the options for Funeral readings
...readers for the Scripture Readings?
...pall bearers (6 if there is a coffin, 2 if there are cremated remains)?
...whether or not you'd like to have a vigil service before the Funeral, or a reception after the funeral?
...making arrangements for the committal service at the cemetery?
-
* Contact the Parish Office | 925-254-2426 | [email protected]