Funeral Liturgy
Gathering together to praise and thank God 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 Paschal Mystery.
Planning, Preparing, and Holding A Funeral at Our Lady of Lourdes
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord… and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed, Rest in Peace.
Typically, when a loved one passes away, the family, in collaboration with the funeral home, will contact the Parish to discuss dates / times for the funeral arrangements and to choose the priest-celebrant or deacon for Mass.
After these initial choices are made, the family often works with the Priest, musician(s), and funeral luncheon committee to discuss the funeral plan and the reception (if a reception / luncheon will be held).
Considerations in Planning
In discussing the funeral plan, the family can provide input on a number of different items, including:
- Readings - depending on season, includes Old Testament reading, Psalm, Letter from St. Paul, and Gospel reading
- Hymns
- Persons to minister in various roles - Reader(s), Gift Bearers, possibly others
- Reception - will there be a reception and if so, approximately how many guests are expected?
Once these are decided, the family and/or the Parish will inform the funeral home regarding any additional preparations.
Ongoing Support after the Funeral
One of the most important things we can do for a deceased loved one is to pray for them. To that end, Our Lady of Lourdes normally offers an annual Mass of Remembrance in early November in conjunction with our All Souls Day commemorations. At this Mass, we remember all those from our Parish family who have passed away since last November. In addition, we remember all the deceased who were mentioned at Mass in the Prayers of the Faithful during the previous year. Therefore, please be assured that Our Lady of Lourdes Parish continues to pray for your loved one and your family even after the funeral is concluded.
Our Lady of Lourdes has offered a Grief Support Group, however this group has been suspended for now due to scheduling difficulties. For information about available options, please contact the Parish office.
An Overview Of Catholic Funeral Rites
“At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.”
ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS, NO. 4
The Catholic funeral rite is divided into several stations, or parts, each with its own purpose. For this reason, we recommend following the complete structure and making use of each station.
Vigil Service (Wake)
"At the vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ's presence" (Order of Christian Funerals, no. 56). The Vigil Service usually takes place during the period of visitation and viewing at the funeral home. It is a time to remember the life of the deceased and to commend him/her to God. In prayer we ask God to console us in our grief and give us strength to support one another.
The Vigil Service can take the form of a Service of the Word with readings from Sacred Scripture accompanied by reflection and prayers. It can also take the form of one of the prayers of the Office for the Dead from the Liturgy of the Hours. The clergy and your funeral director can assist in planning such service.
It is most appropriate, when family and friends are gathered together for visitation, to offer time for recalling the life of the deceased. For this reason, eulogies are usually encouraged to be done at the funeral home during visitation or at the Vigil Service.
Funeral Liturgy
The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. When one of its members dies, the Church encourages the celebration of the funeral liturgy at a Mass. When Mass cannot be celebrated, a funeral liturgy outside Mass can be celebrated at the church or in the funeral home. There are no Masses in Funeral Homes
At the funeral liturgy, the Church gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God 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 Paschal Mystery. The funeral liturgy, therefore, is an act of worship, and not merely an expression of grief.
Rite of Committal (Burial or Interment)
The Rite of Committal, the conclusion of the funeral rite, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. It should normally be celebrated at the place of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment. In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses the hope that, with all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection. The Rite of 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.