With our sincere condolences...
Catholic belief in death as the entrance into eternity, hope in the resurrection, recognition of the value of prayer for the deceased, reverence for the body which remains and the sense of mystery and sacredness which surround the end of earthly life are all reflected in the Church’s care for the deceased and the family and community of faith that survives them. Private prayer, united with the liturgical rites of the Church, help us to share in the Lord’s paschal mystery and to hope for eternal union with God. [Diocese of Rochester – Policies for the Administration of the Sacraments, 9.1]
“The Church’s liturgical and sacramental life and proclamation of the Gospel make [the Paschal] mystery present in the life of the faithful.” (Order of Christian Funerals, 2).
“The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins.” (Order of Christian Funerals, 6).
A funeral is not a celebration of the life of the deceased, but, as with all of the Church’s rites, a proclamation of the mysteries.
When planning for a funeral in our parish, please contact the parish or have the funeral director contact the parish, so that the family can meet with the priest to plan the funeral liturgy.
Part of the planning for the funeral liturgy involves choosing music suitable for the funeral liturgy.
Music For Funerals
There are also several options for the readings at a funeral Mass. There can be one or two readings prior to the Gospel reading – one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament – or one reading prior to the Gospel, while the Psalm will be sung. The family can choose from the following readings:
Old Testament Readings
New Testament Readings
If a friend or family member would like to speak the Words of Remembrance at the funeral liturgy, this would normally happen at the beginning of the liturgy or just prior to the beginning of the liturgy. Here are the diocesan guidelines for the Words of Remembrance:
Words of Remembrance
