Funerals
Upon the death of a loved one, those making funeral arrangements are asked to make an appointment with the pastor to assist in the planning of the funeral rites (989) 345-0064.
The Catholic Funeral Rites
The death of a parish member or of a family member of a parish member calls the whole parish community to gather to show support and to pray with the family and friends of the deceased. Grieving is the most natural and healthy response to death of a loved one. This grieving process with it coming to acceptance and peace takes time.
Our Catholic Funeral Rite celebrates the various stages long the way from disbelief to acceptance. Our Catholic Funeral Rite embraces three community prayer gatherings: The Parish Scripture Wake Service on the evening of the funeral itself, The Funeral Mass and The Burial Service. Of the three services it is the Funeral Mass that is the central rite of the Catholic Funeral.
There is a progression in our Catholic Funeral Rites taking the family and friends of the deceased through the deep sense of loss and remembering in the Wake Service through the celebration of new life in the Funeral Mass to entrusting the deceased to the Lord and saying goodbye in the Commendation and Committal or Burial Rite.
The Order of Christian Funerals also has brief prayers for after the death, as the family first gathers in the presence of the body, and when the body is transferred to the church or place of committal.
The Parish Scripture Wake Service
The gathering of the faith community, extended family and friends can be a great comfort and support for the family of the deceased as it faces the reality of death in the waking of the body of the deceased. The Church on this occasion invites those gathered to reflect in prayer on God’s comforting words in Sacred Scripture.
It is a time to thank God for the gift the deceased has been. This can de done by sharing stories, poems and the deceased’s favorite hymn or song. The sharing of stories and prayer together is important in the mourning and healing process.
The Parish Scripture Wake Service is the place for the eulogy and sharing of memories. The Funeral Rite does allow a family member or friend to say a few words before the Commendation at the end of Mass; however, this can be uncomfortable as it returns family and friends to an earlier stage in the grieving process. It would be more appropriate to say a few words in memory of the deceased at the beginning of the Funeral Mass and then invite those present to join in the Liturgy of the Funeral Mass. The funeral luncheon offers another occasion for sharing of stories.
If the rosary is meaningful, the family may wish to recite it at their convenience other that at the Parish Scripture Service.
Because our church facility does not have a separate Eucharist chapel or a separate gathering area, we are limited in this regard. Arrangements can be made to have the vigil service at the church and /or viewing an hour or so at church before the Funeral Mass.
The Funeral Mass
The Church encourages the celebration of the Liturgy of the Mass. The funeral Mass re-members us to the death and resurrection of Jesus and its promise of resurrection to those who follow him. It is at Eucharist that we remember Jesus’ passage from death to new life: how Jesus gave his very self to the Father and placed his total self into his Father’s hands, trusting that his Father would not abandon Him into the nothingness of death, but would raise Him to new and glorious eternal life. The Father was faithful and raised him from the dead, seating Him at His right hand.
How appropriate it is, then, that as we celebrate the passage of our loved ones we gather to remember Jesus’ passage and place our loved ones into the Father’s hands, trusting the Father will not abandon them but will raise them to new and glorious eternal life to be with our brother, Jesus.
The Mass, remembering the Lord’s Last Supper, is also the pledge and foretaste of the eternal banquet in heaven where we look forward to being with our deceased for all eternity.
The deceased’s family members may place the pall on the casket at the beginning of the Funeral Mass
The Burial Service
The Commendation and Committal (Burial Service) brings closure to the funeral. Having face the reality of death and having heard and celebrated the message of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the prayer of the Church is to entrust our beloved one to the care of the Lord and to say our final good-byes as we lay the body or ashes of our loved one to rest until the Day of Resurrection.
The mortuary usually handles the necessary contacts for burial at the parish cemetery (St. Joseph Cemetery). For cemetery regulations see our parish website: www.stjosephwestbranch.org – cemetery.
Planning the Funeral Mass
The Scripture Readings
Family members may select the Scripture Readings from the Lectionary for Masses for the Dead for the funeral Mass. The parish has copies.
Those selecting the readings are encouraged to select passages which speak to them of God’s love and faithfulness and challenge them to grow in faith and move forward. The readings selected should be submitted to the priest presiding at the funeral Mass beforehand. He will base his homily on the selected Scripture passages.
The Old and New Testament readings may be proclaimed by faith-filled friend(s) or family member(s). Photo copies of the scriptures should not be used by the proclaimers during the Mass. The readings will be marked in the lectionary (the official book of the scripture readings.) The Gospel reading is proclaimed by the priest or deacon.
Family members may also prepare the General Intercessions (petitions). (Contact the parish for sample texts.)
The Music
The funeral home arranges for the musician and a song leader/cantor. Mary Chartier (989)-426-0235) is willing to help with the selection of music.
The music chosen should be such as to encourage all to join in the singing. It certainly is fitting that all the ritual sung parts of the Mass be sung by those gathered – the responsorial psalm refrain, the Holy/Holy, the acclamations, Great Amen, Our Father, Lamb of God, a communion procession refrain.
Not every beautiful or favorite hymn or song of their deceased is appropriate for the Liturgy of the Mass. The gathering song should center on why they have gathered – to praise and thank God for the gift their loved one has been to them and for the trust we can place in our God. It is fitting that the recessional song expresses that trust in God as we move on to the burial.
Cremation
In history, cremation was seen as a “spite” to our belief in the resurrection of the body. Since this is no longer the situation, cremation, is now allowed in the Catholic Church. Cremation, if desired, should take place after the Funeral Mass. It is important for survivors that some type of gathering of family and friends be held as well as some manner of viewing the body. Cremains need to be buried in some form of an urn in a cemetery or dedicated area as soon as possible after the funeral.
Funeral Luncheon
Upon request the parish will assist with/provide a funeral luncheon for families who are members of the parish family. Contact Marie Clemens at 345-0821 or Mary Ammond at 345-0012.
Monuments and Grave Markers at St. Joseph Cemetery
Please see our web page (Cemetery) on the parish’s website: www.stjosephwestbranch.org or our brochure “St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery” for sizes and regulations concerning monument and grave markers allowed at our parish cemetery,
When considering a grave marker or monument, we as Catholics need to express our beliefs about Christ, death, resurrection, and life hereafter. A cross – our Catholic sign – should be on our tombstone.
Memorials
In lieu of, or in addition to, flowers given at the time of a funeral, one might consider a financial gift to the family to help with expenses, or having a Mass celebrated for the repose of the deceased. Other memorials to be considered are a donation to the parish school endowment fund or debt reduction fund, the church enhancement fund, or other charitable organizations.
Funeral Mass
For: ____________________________ Date: _________________ Time: __________
Musician ________________________ Song Leader/Cantor _________________________
Placing the Pall: __________________
Scripture Reading I* _____________________ #_________ Reader: ________________________
(Choose from selections pages 1085 – 1089)
(Easter to Pentecost choose from pages 1090-1093)
Scripture Reading II* ____________________ #__________ Reader: ________________________
(Choose from pages 102-1112)
Gospel: __________________________#____________ Reader: Priest
(Choose selection pages 1114-1135)
Petitions: Preparer: ______________________ Read by _______________________________
Music: Gathering Hymn _________________________________
Responsorial Psalm ____________________________________
Communion Procession _______________________________
Song of Farewell (Optional) ___________________________
Recessional _______________________________
Gift bearers: (2-3) _____________________ & _____________________ & __________________
Eucharistic Ministers: (2) _________________________ & _________________________
Cemetery ________________________________ When ____________________________
Luncheon ______yes ______ no Where ______________________________
(If three readings are desired choose one each from the selections under First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel. If two readings are desired choose one from the selections under either “First Reading” or “Second Reading” and one from the Gospel Selection.)
Additional information for priest