ABOUT CATHOLIC FUNERAL
CATHOLIC FUNERAL PLANNING IS A SACRED PROCESS ROOTED IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. OUR PARISH IS HERE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME BY GUIDING THEM THROUGH THE RITES AND TRADITIONS OF THE CHURCH, ENSURING THAT EVERY DETAIL FROM THE VIGIL SERVICE TO THE FUNERAL MASS AND FINAL COMMITTAL IS MARKED BY PRAYER, REVERENCE, AND PASTORAL CARE.
THE FUNERAL RITES PROVIDE COMFORT TO THE GRIEVING, HONOR THE DIGNITY OF THE DECEASED, AND EXPRESS OUR FAITH IN ETERNAL LIFE. THROUGH THE READINGS, PRAYERS, HYMNS, AND SYMBOLIC GESTURES SUCH AS THE SPRINKLING OF HOLY WATER AND THE INCENSATION OF THE CASKET WE PROCLAIM OUR BELIEF THAT “LIFE IS CHANGED, NOT ENDED,” AND THAT IN CHRIST’S VICTORY OVER DEATH, THE PROMISE OF NEW LIFE IS ALREADY AT WORK.
THREE STATIONS OF THE FUNERAL
THE FULL CATHOLIC FUNERAL CONSISTS OF THREE PRINCIPAL MOMENTS, WHICH MAY BE CELEBRATED TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY DEPENDING ON THE FAMILY'S CIRCUMSTANCES:
1. THE VIGIL (WAKE)
OFTEN HELD THE EVENING BEFORE THE FUNERAL MASS, THE VIGIL IS A TIME OF PRAYER, SCRIPTURE READING, AND REMEMBRANCE. IT IS A SACRED MOMENT TO EXPRESS GRIEF, OFFER SUPPORT, AND RECALL THE PROMISES OF CHRIST.
2. THE FUNERAL MASS (MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
THE FUNERAL MASS IS THE CENTRAL LITURGICAL CELEBRATION, NORMALLY HELD IN THE PARISH CHURCH. IT INCLUDES:
3. THE RITE OF COMMITTAL (BURIAL)
AT THE PLACE OF REST, THE CHURCH OFFERS A FINAL BLESSING AND COMMENDATION, COMMITTING THE BODY TO THE EARTH, "IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION."
1. THE VIGIL (WAKE)
OFTEN HELD THE EVENING BEFORE THE FUNERAL MASS, THE VIGIL IS A TIME OF PRAYER, SCRIPTURE READING, AND REMEMBRANCE. IT IS A SACRED MOMENT TO EXPRESS GRIEF, OFFER SUPPORT, AND RECALL THE PROMISES OF CHRIST.
2. THE FUNERAL MASS (MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
THE FUNERAL MASS IS THE CENTRAL LITURGICAL CELEBRATION, NORMALLY HELD IN THE PARISH CHURCH. IT INCLUDES:
- RECEPTION OF THE BODY- WITH HOLY WATER AND THE FUNERAL PALL, REMINDING US OF BAPTISM
- LITURGY OF THE WORD- SCRIPTURE READINGS AND A HOMILY FOCUSED ON CHRISTIAN HOPE
- LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST- THE CHURCH'S GREATEST PRAYER, OFFERED FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL
- FINAL COMMENDATION- PRAYERS OF FAREWELL, INCENSE, AND THE ENTRUSTING OF THE SOUL TO GOD
3. THE RITE OF COMMITTAL (BURIAL)
AT THE PLACE OF REST, THE CHURCH OFFERS A FINAL BLESSING AND COMMENDATION, COMMITTING THE BODY TO THE EARTH, "IN SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION."
STEPS TO PLAN FUNERAL
1. NOTIFY THE PARISH OFFICE
CALL US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH THE DECEASED’S NAME, PREFERRED DATE AND TIME, AND ANY IMMEDIATE PASTORAL NEEDS. EARLY NOTICE ENSURES A PRIEST IS ASSIGNED AND THE CHURCH’S CALENDAR IS RESERVED FOR YOUR LOVED ONE.
2. SCHEDULE THE FUNERAL MASS
MEET WITH OUR STAFF TO CONFIRM THE MASS DATE AND TIME, CHOOSE SCRIPTURE READINGS AND HYMNS THAT SPEAK TO YOUR FAMILY’S FAITH STORY, AND INCLUDE ANY SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS OR CULTURAL PRAYERS. WE’LL ALSO CLARIFY ROLES: LECTOR, GIFT-BEARERS, CELEBRANT- TO ENSURE A PRAYERFUL, WELL ORDERED LITURGY.
3. PLAN THE VIGIL SERVICE
DECIDE ON THE VIGIL TIME, AND INVITE A FEW LOVED ONES TO SHARE BRIEF REMEMBRANCES. THE SERVICE TYPICALLY BEGINS WITH A PRAYER LEAD BY THE PRIEST TO COMMEND THE SOUL TO GOD.
4. PREPARE THE RITE OF COMMITTAL
FINALIZE GRAVESIDE OR CREMATORIUM LOGISTICS, INCLUDING ANY SITE REGULATIONS, PALL-BEARER ARRANGEMENTS, AND THE FINAL COMMENDATION PRAYERS (“INTO YOUR HANDS, O LORD…”).
CALL US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH THE DECEASED’S NAME, PREFERRED DATE AND TIME, AND ANY IMMEDIATE PASTORAL NEEDS. EARLY NOTICE ENSURES A PRIEST IS ASSIGNED AND THE CHURCH’S CALENDAR IS RESERVED FOR YOUR LOVED ONE.
2. SCHEDULE THE FUNERAL MASS
MEET WITH OUR STAFF TO CONFIRM THE MASS DATE AND TIME, CHOOSE SCRIPTURE READINGS AND HYMNS THAT SPEAK TO YOUR FAMILY’S FAITH STORY, AND INCLUDE ANY SPECIAL INTERCESSIONS OR CULTURAL PRAYERS. WE’LL ALSO CLARIFY ROLES: LECTOR, GIFT-BEARERS, CELEBRANT- TO ENSURE A PRAYERFUL, WELL ORDERED LITURGY.
3. PLAN THE VIGIL SERVICE
DECIDE ON THE VIGIL TIME, AND INVITE A FEW LOVED ONES TO SHARE BRIEF REMEMBRANCES. THE SERVICE TYPICALLY BEGINS WITH A PRAYER LEAD BY THE PRIEST TO COMMEND THE SOUL TO GOD.
4. PREPARE THE RITE OF COMMITTAL
FINALIZE GRAVESIDE OR CREMATORIUM LOGISTICS, INCLUDING ANY SITE REGULATIONS, PALL-BEARER ARRANGEMENTS, AND THE FINAL COMMENDATION PRAYERS (“INTO YOUR HANDS, O LORD…”).
HELPFUL RESOURCES
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CONTACT OUR PARISH
OUR PARISH STAFF IS READY TO ASSIST YOU WITH ALL ASPECTS OF CATHOLIC FUNERAL
PLANNING.
PHONE: 203-655-1145
EMAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY - THURSDAY 10AM - 2PM
PLANNING.
PHONE: 203-655-1145
EMAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY - THURSDAY 10AM - 2PM