Funerals

We share your sorrow at the loss of your loved one. We would like to make planning of the funeral liturgy as easy and personal as possible.  You will work with a dedicated Coordinator through the process to help guide you

The Catholic Funeral

We offer Masses for our deceased loved ones because we believe that this actually does something. It makes a difference for them. When we pray for someone who has died, we are assisting them in their process of purification en route to Heaven. In what way could you possibly love them more?


The funeral Mass is a chance to say goodbye and to celebrate the life of the person you’ve loved. But it is also far more. It is the chance to worship God and to thank him for his inexplicable mercy, to proclaim and renew our faith in Jesus Christ, and to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that will immensely bless the person who has died.                                                                                                                                                           

--- Father Michael Schmitz

Because of our belief not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the resurrection of the body, the Church professes hope in the face of death, and acts with charity in the funeral rites. The Church provides a number of prayers for the faithful to offer both to accompany the dying of a loved one and to strengthen our faith upon their death. (USCCB Bereavement and Funerals)


Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just  The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God's merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins.  (USCCB Bereavement and Funerals)


More about Catholic funerals

Funeral Planning

SCHEDULING A SERVICE AT ST. JOHN XXIII
 
As soon as death has occurred, please
contact the Funeral Director. The Funeral Director will help to coordinate the scheduling of services at the Church, Funeral Home, and the Cemetery.   If you choose to have a funeral Mass, you will then receive a phone call from our Bereavement Minister who will assist you in planning the Funeral Liturgy. 

At St. John XXIII


Funerals are held on Mondays - Thursdays

The Funeral Director initiates the arrangements

Funerals are generally not held on Fridays

Saturday funerals will be held as available

What to Expect at the Funeral
 
 
VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED (Wake)
 
On the evening of the wake, the parish gathers with you for the first part of the funeral liturgy, the vigil prayer.  This may be done as the wake begins, but most prefer the prayer service later in the evening at the end of the wake. The service is a simple sequence of opening prayers, Scripture readings, brief homily, eulogies for the deceased, and final prayers and blessings. 

MASS OF THE RESURRECTION (Funeral Mass)
 
Most of the time, the funeral rites will include a Catholic Mass, in which we affirm the presence and gift of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, a sign of our unity of faith, and a promise of the heavenly banquet we hope to enjoy with Him forever. The body may or may not be present for the Mass. If present, the ceremony begins at the entrance to the church with ceremonies that recall our Baptism because the deceased is entering a “new life” of faith just as he or she did at Baptism. The casket is blessed with Holy Water and then covered with a large white baptismal cloth. After processing down the aisle, the pall bearers and family take their place in the pews and the Funeral Mass continues. 

MUSIC SELECTIONS

Music is an important part of the funeral rites. It can console and uplift mourners even as it expresses our faith and love. The music used in the Funeral Mass is to be religious in nature and in accord with our faith in eternal life, which the Mass celebrates. Our Bereavement Minister will review the choices of hymns with you. Other hymns may be requested, but their acceptance will be based on appropriateness to the church's liturgy and the cantor and pianist's knowledge of them. Our Parish Music Director, or a cantor and accompanist will be present to lead the congregation in song.

RITE OF COMMITTAL (Cemetery Service)
 
The third and final part of the funeral liturgy occurs at the cemetery. The priest from the parish leads a brief prayer to help those who are mourning leave their loved one in the hands of God. 

A WORD ABOUT CREMATION
 
Since 1963, the Catholic Church has allowed cremation. The Church teaches that the cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the corporeal remains of a human body. Permission has been granted by the Catholic Church for the celebration of a Funeral Mass with the cremated remains of the body present in church. The Church prefers that the cremated remains of the deceased be buried rather than scattered or kept in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased. The Catholic Cemeteries have grave space or niches for cremated remains of the body. This allows for family visitation, prayer and remembrance in a sacred and dignified place. The Funeral Director can assist you in making the arrangements.  Click for guidelines on Catholic cremation.
 
FEES
 
For fees, please contact your funeral director.

Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your love.

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