Funeral Information
The passing of a loved one is a difficult time. But understanding Christ's victory over death, the funeral liturgy is an act of worship not just an expression of grief. The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Catholic community for the deceased. When a member of our community dies, we encourage the celebration of the funeral liturgy at a Mass. When Mass cannot be celebrated, a funeral liturgy outside Mass can be celebrated at the church or in the funeral home.
In most cases, the primary point of contact for funeral arrangements after a loved one passes will be the funeral home. The family will then be contacted by one of our music ministers to help them through the process of planning the funeral liturgy. Families may choose appropriate readings, hymns, and the prayers of the faithful.
The Word of God is a source of encouragement and consolation for the faithful of God.
In our tradition we recognize that readings from the scripture are not just readings, still less just words, but really prayers. When the Scriptures are proclaimed in church, when we gather for prayer, Jesus himself is sacramentally present. Even when we read these readings to ourselves privately we are invited to listen for the voice of the Lord of Life.
We have a variety of the readings which are approved for use at Catholic funerals services. This is provided to assist people preparing for a funeral service. But it can also serve as a source of spiritual reading in the days and weeks that follow the funeral service.
It is most natural to return in prayer to those readings used at the service itself, to continue to draw nourishment from them. But there is much to learn and much to gain from the other readings here also.
Funeral Liturgy Planning Sheet for St. James
Funeral Liturgy Planning Sheet for St. Elizabeth Seton
The following is the order of the Mass readings and a link to the selections for each:
Second Reading - New Testament
Prayer of the Faithful-option 1
Prayer of the Faithful-option 2
The following links allow you to see and hear the music choices for funeral liturgies:
