PLANNING A FUNERAL MASS
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” John 14: 1 - 3
On behalf of the St. Joseph the Worker parish family, please accept our heartfelt prayers and sympathy, as you remember and cherish the life of your loved one. As Christians, we celebrate a funeral in order to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life, which has now returned to Him. The celebration of the Catholic Funeral Rites is a way to remind us of God’s mercy, and to bring hope and consolation, in a difficult time of grief and sorrow. Please know that our parish staff is here to support you with our prayers, and is ready to assist you in preparing for, and celebrating a beautiful Catholic Funeral Liturgy.
1. The first step in the funeral planning process is to contact the funeral home of your choice to handle the necessary arrangements. As part of the process, the funeral home will contact our parish office staff, on your behalf, to schedule a time for the funeral. If you will not be using a funeral home, please contact our parish office directly at 603-883-0757, ext 2.
2. Once the date and time of your loved one’s funeral have been determined, we will schedule an appointment to meet with our pastor and our bereavement representative to plan the funeral liturgy. Prior to this meeting, you may access the funeral planning material listed below or acquire a planning book through the parish office. This will assist you in considering the different options from Scripture readings to Liturgical hymns that are offered for funerals. You are encouraged to involve different members of the deceased’s family and friends in the Mass.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the Word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the paschal mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God’s kingdom, and encourage witness of Christian life. Above all the readings tell of God’s designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his own.
There are three readings during the funeral liturgy (1st Reading, 2nd Reading, and Gospel). Readings will be provided from The Order of Christian Funerals. The Gospel will be selected by the priest and may only be proclaimed by a priest or deacon.
Please choose one of the Old Testament readings (click here to view the Old Testament readings) and one of the New Testament readings (click here to view the New Testament readings) and indicate the numbers of each reading on the Funeral Planning Form. You may have one person proclaim both readings or one person proclaim the Old Testament reading and one proclaim the New Testament reading. The person is to come forward when announced by the priest. If no one is able and willing to proclaim the readings, please indicate this on the Funeral Planning Form. In this case one of the parish altar servers will proclaim the readings.
You may wish to print out a copy of your chosen reading if you have opted to have family members/friends proclaim them during the funeral. Providing the readers with a copy of their specific readings ahead of time will help to familiarize them with their assigned Scripture selections.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
After the homily, the congregation rises and prayers are offered for the deceased and for those who mourn. These prayers may be read by one of the deceased’s family members or friends. After each prayer the congregation responds “Lord hear our prayer”. If no one is able and willing to read these prayers, please indicate this on the Funeral Planning Form. In this case, one of the parish altar servers will read them. (Click here to view the Prayer of the Faithful)
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND WINE
After the homily and prayer of faithful, the Mass moves from the celebration of the Word of God to the celebration of the Eucharist. At this time the gifts of the bread and wine are brought forward. Generally, only two people are necessary to bring forward the gifts. However, a family may choose additional people, with two carrying the gifts of bread and wine, and the others in the Offertory Procession up the main aisle. One of the parish altar servers with meet the gift bearers at the gift table. If there is no one able and willing to bring up the gifts, they will be left at the altar.
REMARKS OF REMEMBRANCE
After communion, a family member or friend of the deceased may give a few remarks of remembrance. Thes remarks are to be no longer than five minutes (this is roughly one typed page) and should be in keeping with the spirit of the funeral Mass. The speaker should speak sincerely and respectively and choose one or two memories that capture the virtue and character of the deceased. Avoid using “inside jokes” or forms of humor which may be misunderstood, or sharing incidents not widely known, which may cause confusion or hurt. Remarks of Remembrance are not mandatory and you may decide not to include them.
MUSIC
“Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that word alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.” (Order of Christian Funerals)
The music to be used in any Catholic Funeral Liturgy must first and foremost be liturgical music, that is, music that expresses the faith of the church and has been approved for use in worship. Music from secular sources are not permitted in church. While we understand these songs may have held special significance for the deceased, they are not appropriate for a liturgical setting. However, this music could be incorporated outside of the funeral Mass during the wake or at a meal following the burial service.
A list of appropriate and liturgical music for funerals can be found on the Funeral Mass Music Selection Form below. These hymns can be found in the church’s Breaking Bread hymnal. (Click here to view the Funeral Mass Music Selection Form)
We hope that this information has been helpful. If you have any questions about the Funeral Liturgy, please contact our parish office at 603-883-0757, ext. 2.
