Funeral Liturgy

The 'resurrection of the dead' is a fundamental of our Christian faith.  From the awareness that first Easter that the Lord Jesus is risen from the dead, the truth that our bodies will rise with him in glory has been an integral and foundation part of the preaching of the apostles and the kerygma of the Christian gospel.  The preparation and respect given to a lifeless body after death has been used by scientists and archeologists as a measure of the advancement and sophistication of ancient people and the determination of their civilization.  This fact calls to mind the pyramids in the Nile Valley and on the Mexican peninsula, the site of Macchu Picchu and the ancient dolmens and burial mounds of Newgrange and the Boyne Valley in Ireland.  The respect given to the dead and their body is a sign of our faith in the afterlife and the promise of another world beyond what we know to our senses.  

For a Catholic, the choice to have a full Mass following the death of a loved one, either on the day of the burial, or at a time before cremation, is the preference.  Our faith is that in the Eucharistic celebration we are united as members of the Mystical Body of Christ.  That our loved one's physical body is actually present is the preference for the grace of this commendation is the Church's preference.  This gives the faithfu, the faily and other loved ones, the chance to physically surround this person and by their common prayer to commend their soul to the merciful and loving presence of God.  Since we do not know the exact moment that the soul leaves a body, this is the Church's preference to confidently commend the soul to God.
However, there circumstances when for geographical or financial reasons that cremation may need to occur before this Eucharistic celebration.  In that instance, the Church does permit, and even encourages the practice, that the cremated remains of the deceased should be brought to Church, again that the community of faith may surround this personally physically with their love and support in prayer to commend them to God.  Again, this can be scheduled for the day of the burial or disposition of a loved one's remains.

When it is not possible to have the physical remains in church, then a Memorial Mass can be celebrated for the commendation of the person's soul and their eternal rest.  This can be scheduled similar to a funeral in which case in lieu of a physical body or cremated remains a photograph of the loved can be placed on a table at the front of the church near the paschal candle.  

In some instances, for different reasons, a family may choose to forego this ultimate act of love of a funeral Mass and opt for a Word service.  This can be held in a funeral home or at the graveside and consists of the same prayers along with readings from the Sacred Scriptures, but it does not include the Eucharistic action of the Church in the name of Christ and the perfect love of this sacrifice for a loved one.  No communion would be offered in this service.  Music may or may not be part of this service, according to the wishes or interests of the family.

It has become a common practice with the reforms of the liturgy to allow a family member or close friend of the deceased to offer some words of remembrance about the dearly departed.  The directives of the Church indicate that this should limited to one person and be in length from three to seven minutes.  It is preferable that unless someone is a skilled or frequent public speaker that he or she prepare their remarks in writing to avoid rambling or scattered reminiscences that are meaningful to the person speaking but not to the congregation for whom it is intended.

Our upper and lower churches have the capacity to livestream a funeral.  We have four permanent cameras in the upper church and two permanent cameras in the lower church that reach almost any angle and perspective in the church and provide a clear sound through the sound system.  All without being noticable or intrusive during the Mass to those in attendance.  

Families are welcome to subscribe to this service and will be given a private access code to share with family and friends.  It is not a public broadcast on our parish webpage. 

We do request a stipend of $75 to compensate the person who will direct and zoom the cameras during the service.  It also creates a digital file that the family will have as a keepsake of the service for their use or sharing.  Ability to do so depends on the advance notice that we are given and the availability of our streaming volunteers.