Funeral Mass Preparations

Please click here for a document with all the Scripture Readings for Funeral Masses.

Please select one Old Testament Reading. You may also choose a trained person to read the Old Testament Reading.
(However, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, there are special readings from the New Testament that are used instead.

Please select one New Testament Reading. You may also choose a trained person to proclaim the New Testament Reading.
(The musicians usually chant the psalm before this reading, and the gospel acclamation after this reading.)

Please select one Gospel Reading. The priest or the deacon will proclaim the Gospel Reading and lead the Petitions after the Homily.
(The homily given by the priest or deacon is a faith-based eulogy about the gift of eternal life that we receive from Jesus Christ.)

Here are some other options and various notes for the Funeral Mass:

Music: Please contact the parish office for information about the liturgical music selections for the Funeral Mass.

Offertory: If you wish to have an offertory procession, please select two people to bring up the bread and wine for the Eucharist.

Communion: Those who are not Catholic, or those who are not spiritually prepared, may come up for a blessing instead of Communion.

Eulogies: Words of remembrance may be given by a family member or friend at the end of the Funeral Mass, if requested. 

A Funeral Mass is a celebration of eternal life in Jesus Christ!

A Catholic Funeral Mass is a celebration of eternal life in Jesus Christ. We offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of the soul of our departed loved one. While the Funeral Wake is “about” our loved one who has died, the Funeral Mass is “for” our loved one who is entering the next life. May the prayers of the sacred liturgy comfort us in our sorrow at the death of our loved one. It also prayerfully prepares us for that day when God calls us to himself as well. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual life shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

For consolation and inspiration, please go to EternalRest.org.