Funerals

“I am the Resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in Me will live forever.”

Preparing a Funeral Mass

The Saint Bonaventure Parish family extends its sincere sympathies on your loss. It is helpful to those burdened by grief, to help shape the liturgy in a way that reflects the life of the deceased and the hope of eternal life for your loved one. After the family contacts the Funeral Home the Bereavement Minister will be notified and will then contact the family to arrange a meeting to help plan the Funeral Liturgy for the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial.

1. Introductory Rites

The lighted Pascal Candle, the sprinkling of the body with holy water and the placing of the pall, remind us that through our Baptism, we have a share in the life of Christ. You will gather at the door of the Church where you will be greeted by the priest. The body will be blessed and sprinkled with holy water and the casket will be covered by the pall. The pall is a white cloth, a symbol of new life in the resurrection, which we received at the time of our Baptism. Family members are encouraged to unfold the pall and place it over the casket. All are then invited to join in the singing of a hymn while all process to their places. This is followed by the opening prayer.

2. Liturgy of the Word

Family members or friends are invited to select and proclaim the scripture readings for the Mass. You may select readers who feel comfortable and confident enough to proclaim God’s Word from among those who will be at the funeral. Or, if you choose, the Church will provide and experienced lector to proclaim the scriptural readings. It is customary to have three readings for the scriptures in the funeral liturgy: one from Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) read by the first reader and one from the writings of the apostles, read by the second reader. The third reading, from the Gospels. is always proclaimed by the priest or deacon. (For pastoral reasons, which may be discussed with the priest or deacon, one of the first two readings may sometimes be omitted.) Between the first and second readings, a psalm is sung. Scripture readings may be selected from those included later on in this booklet. Some families ask about the families ask about the possibility of using a reading from sources other than the Scriptures. While such readings may reflect valuable insights into the life of the deceased, they are best used outside of the liturgy, perhaps at the funeral home, or at the cemetery.

3. Liturgy of the Eucharist

Family members are invited to present the gifts of bread and wine, signs of God’s goodness, and the gift of ourselves, to be consecrated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The gifts will be located on a small table at the break in the center aisle of the church. Your funeral director will assist the gift bearers at the appropriate time. A song is sung or played at this time. The usual Order of Mass is followed. During the Eucharistic prayer, all are encouraged to join in the sung responses. The Lord’s Prayer is spoken and a sign of Christ’s peace is exchanged…

Communion: As Catholics, we are encouraged to receive Holy Communion. In this way, we participate fully in the celebration of the Eucharist. You will receive Communion by the center aisle. Those who will not be receiving Holy Communion are asked to spend this time in quiet prayer. If there is a Eucharistic Minister in your family who would like to participate in the distribution of Holy Communion, please make this known to the Bereavement Minister. A communion hymn is sung by all.

4. Remarks of Remembrance (Optional)

Sometimes a family member may wish to share a few words about the deceased before the Final Commendation. This is by no means required. One person may share a brief, dignified reflection of the life of the deceased, this is the appropriate occasion in the liturgy.

5. Final Commendation

This rite is a final farewell, an act of respect by members of the community for one of their members. Incense is used, a sign of the dignity of human life. The Song of Farewell affirms our hope and trust in the Paschal Mystery.

6. Procession to the Place of Committal

At the conclusion of the funeral liturgy, a hymn is sung, the procession if formed and the body is accompanied to the place of committal.