Preparing a Funeral Mass
First, allow us to express our condolences at the lost of your loved one and to assure you of our prayers for you and your family.
The Order of Christian Funerals is composed of three parts:
A Vigil Prayer Service at the Funeral Home
A Funeral Mass at church
Committal at the cemetery
You have the possibility to help plan the Funeral Mass. You have options concerning the offertory, the readings, songs, etc. Below, you will find the order of Mass and what you can expect on the day of the funeral.
Introductory Rites
The priest greets the mourners at the entrance and sprinkles the coffin with Holy Water. Family members make unfold the funeral pall over the casket. A procession up the main aisle will then take place. A member of the family may place a symbol of Christian life, e.g., a cross on top of the pall at this point.
Liturgy of the Word
The Church offers us the opportunity to hear three readings from Sacred Scripture at Mass. The first reading is from the Old Testament, the second reading is from the New Testament and a Gospel selection. The funeral home will provide a booklet for you to choose a selection for the 1st and 2nd Readings. The priest celebrating the Mass will choose a Gospel reading.
It is appropriate to have members of the family or friends read from Sacred Scripture. It is preferable to have a different reader for each of the first two readings. The priest will select and proclaim the Gospel.
The homily follows the readings and is given by the priest. The homily focuses on God’s compassionate love and on the Easter mystery of death leading to resurrection.
After the homily, we have the General Intercessions or Prayer of the Faithful, read by the priest.
Reading selections can be found HERE.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The usual order of Mass is followed. After the Eucharistic Prayer, we recite the Lord’s Prayer, and are offered Communion. Any Catholic in good standing with the Church is invited to receive Communion by coming up the center aisle. Non-Catholics or Catholics who are not practicing the faith (attending Mass each Sunday) should remain kneeling and praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
A eulogy is not permissible during the Mass. It is possible to have a family member or friend say something at the Vigil Service in the Funeral Home or at the cemetery or at a collation.
Final Commendation
After a brief invitation to prayer there is a period of silence, the body is incensed and a prayer of commendation is offered.
Music
The parish’s Director of Music will lead the congregation in singing.
You may provide selections for the Mass, to be sung at the Processional, Offertory, Communion and Recessional. No secular music is allowed in the Church for Holy Mass.
Cremation
Out of great reverence for the body, the Church urges that it be present in church for the Funeral Mass. Therefore, it is recommended that cremation follow the funeral. If, however, cremation precedes the Mass, it is permitted that the cremated remains of the deceased be present in church during the Funeral Mass.
If a person is being cremated, a date for burial must be set before the funeral can be planned. Ashes are not to scattered, kept at home, or made into jewelry.
Music AND READINGS Selections
Families may select three hymns to be sung for the Processional, Offertory, Communion, Meditation and Recessional. The following list of songs are allowed during the liturgy and may be selected by the family, or the Music Director, if so desired.
Amazing Grace
Avé Maria
Be Not Afraid
Come to Me
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
Here I Am, Lord
Holy Is His Name
How Great Thou Art
I Am the Bread of Life
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Jesus, Remember Me
On Eagle's Wings
Only in God
O Sacrament Most Holy
Panis Angelicus
Pie Jesu
Prayer of St. Francis
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The Lord is Kind and Merciful
The Lord is My Light
The Lord's Prayer
We Will Rise Again
You Are Mine
Reading selection can be found: HERE