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planning the funeral
The Catholic Church offers us three rites for the deceased Christain:
- The vigil for the Deceased
- The Funeral Mass
- The Committal Rite
There are several items to consider:- Date (check with church & mortuary staff first) Funerals are scheduled Mon.-Fri. only
- Type of burial
- Scripture readings
- Music
- Flowers
- Pall bearers
- Lector
- Luncheon/Reception
- Fees
The parish will assist you in making these decisions and will provide altar servers, eucharistic ministers, soloist, and luncheon hosts if needed. Please call the parish office at 360-748-4953.
Message from the Pastor
This information has been prepared to assist you in planning the funeral of your loved one, and inform you of the Catholic Church's guidlines for funeral rites. Please be assured that the one who has died, you, your family and friends are in the prayers of our parish community. The days sorrounding the death of a loved one are diffucult, but we hope that they will also be days that are filled with the peace that only the risen Christ can bring to us. We pray that the funeral rites may be a consolation to you and a profound expression of our faith in the resurrection.
The parishioners and staff of our parishes are here to help you with the planning and the celebration of the life of your loved one. You are in my prayers and in the prayers of the community.
Sincerely Your in Christ,
Father Mihlton
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Please pray for our deceased.
For upcoming funeral dates in our parishes, go to the community calendar.
"I am the resurrection and the life," says the Lord;
"Whoever believes in me will live forever."The VigilThe Vigil is a service that centers on the reading from the sacred scriptures, and includes is a service that centers on reading from sacred scriptures, and includes prayer, preaching on God’s word, music and song, silent mediation, and the opportunity for the family members and friends to speak about the life of the deceased. The Vigil normally is celebrated the evening before the Funeral Mass, either at the church or at the funeral home.
A priest, deacon or qualified layperson leads the Vigil Service, depending on availability.
Sometimes, due to various circumstances, it may be decided that the Vigil Service is not appropriate or workable, and the funeral rite may begin instead with the funeral Mass. Talk with the pastor or parish staff before making this decision.
The Funeral MassThe Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. At the Mass the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the mystery of Christ’s dying and rising.
Normally the body is greeted at the entrance of the church. Flowers or flags that are covering the casket are removed at this time, to be replaced after the casket has been taken from the church. The casket is sprinkled with holy water, recalling the Sacrament of Baptism. The funeral Pall, a large white garment that is a reminder of the garment give at baptism and therefore signifying life in Christ, is placed on the casket by the family members or friends. A cross and the Book of the Gospels are placed on the casket. The priest them approaches the altar, followed by the casket and family.
All present are encouraged to participate in the songs and responses. All Catholics who are able are encouraged to receive Communion at the Funeral Mass. Catholics also should not hesitate to ask the priest for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) prior to the Mass, if they feel they are in need.
The Committal RiteThe Committal Service, usually taking place at the cemetery, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of the deceased member. The Committal is an expression of the communion that exists between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven: the deceased passes with the farewell prayers of the community of believers into the welcoming company of those who need faith no longer but see God face to face.
The actual interment (place of the body into the grave) while we are standing beside the grave is an option. Special arrangement will have to be made and will depend upon the location for interment.Other questions:
Can Catholics be Cremated?
The Catholic Church permits cremation as an option. The Church asks that the body of the deceased be present in the church for the Funeral Mass whenever possible, and that cremation take place following. When this is not possible, the current rite allows for the cremated remains to be present for the Funeral Mass and then committed to the final resting place in the cemetery. Ashes MUST be placed in a cemetary or mousaliem and may not be seperated in any way or spread.
Should we have a Rosary?
The recitation of the Rosary at the time of a funeral is a Catholic custom, but this prayers is not a part of the funeral rites of the Catholic Church and should not replace the Vigil Service, or be combined with it. The Catholic Church has designed the Vigil Service so that all people who are present – Catholic, and non-Catholic, and even those who are not Christian – may participate and feel that it is their prayer Service. The Rosary, on the other hand is foreign to all those who are not Catholic, and to many Catholics as well. If you wish, the family may lead the recitation of the Rosary at some other time, perhaps following the Vigil Service.
Preparation for the Funeral RitesFamily members and friends who are planning the funeral are encouraged to choose from the Church’s collection of scripture reading, songs and other texts that are provided for the funeral rites. Parish staff will help with your choices and planning.
Music and songs selected for the funeral must be appropriate for the occasion, intended for Christian worship, and to be a true expression of traditional Catholic belief and the death of a Christian. Parish musicians and song leaders, who regularly provide music at Mass, are available to lead the assembly in song.Flowers at funerals are a beautiful sign of respect for the deceased loved one, a sign of love and support for the family and friends, and a sign of God’s never-ending gift of life to us. They also serve to remind us of the life to come that we have all been promised in Christ. Sometimes there are too many flowers to be placed in the church near the casket. Before the service they may be positioned in different parts of the church or even the reception hall so that they may be enjoyed by all.