Funeral Planning

This page will help you to answer a few questions about the funeral liturgy and how best to plan for your loved one’s funeral. Planning a Funeral Mass can be difficult, especially when grieving a loss. Someone from the parish is available to help you choose readings and music for the Funeral Mass. More importantly, if you would like to speak to someone about your grief, please contact us (Fr. Brian Slezak or a member of the bereavement team is here to help you).

• The Wake is a time set aside to reflect on the person’s life. This is an opportunity for people to console the grieving and to gather in prayer.
• The Funeral Mass is the principal part of the Funeral Liturgy. At the Mass, “We offer worship, praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life which has now been returned to God” (OCF, No. 5). We turn our gaze from death to the promise of eternal life. In our current state of grieving, we face the Lord who is the Resurrection and the Life.  You will see and hear many symbols at the Mass, Holy Water, Incense, Paschal Candle, Music, Bells all of which help us to encounter our Risen Lord. Scripture and music are also very integral parts of the Funeral Mass. The Liturgy of the Word at funerals follows the same pattern of a weekend Mass. We welcome family members and friends of the deceased to choose the readings and also to proclaim them.*
• Finally, at the Committal or burial, we entrust our loved one to the earth. We bless the grave and ask the Lord to watch over them while they rest in peace awaiting the Resurrection of the Body.  

Selection of the Readings and Hymns:

Readings:

• Select One reading from the Old Testament. View recommendations.
• Select One reading from the New Testament. View recommendations.