Funeral
A Catholic funeral service is a solemn and meaningful way to honor the life of a loved one who has passed away. service typically includes prayers, hymns, and a eulogy, and is conducted by a priest. It provides comfort and closure for family and friends, and is an important part of the grieving process.
Funeral information
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On behalf of the Catholic community of Immaculate Conception, Saint Joseph and Our Lady of Grace, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and assure of our prayers at this time of loss. When a loved one dies, there are so many stressors and planning a funeral is one of them. It is my hope that the information here will make it simpler for you and your family.
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Fr. Tom Konopka
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What will happen?
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What does a Catholic funeral look like?
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Funeral Mass
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Wake and Burial
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Readings for the Funeral Mass
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Ministry at the Mass
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Christian Remarks
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Music Selections for the Funeral Mass
What will happen?
A Catholic funeral is a religious ceremony conducted for a deceased individual of the Catholic faith, serving as a significant ritual for the bereaved who uphold the belief in the soul's continuity after death.
This belief is shared among Christians, where the soul's eternal destination, whether Heaven or Hell, is determined by the righteousness of one's life. However, Catholics introduce a third realm, Purgatory, designated for souls with forgivable sins, offering a path to eventual entry into Heaven. Hence, the Catholic funeral serves as a moment to implore God's mercy upon the departed soul, emphasizing prayers for forgiveness.
Expect a substantial amount of prayers during the Catholic funeral service you attend, along with discussions about the deceased's transition to Heaven to console the grieving individuals. Apart from the belief in Purgatory, various unique Catholic funeral customs distinguish it from other Christian funeral practices, which we will delve into further below.
What does a Catholic
funeral look like?
The time of a death and funeral is a time of prayer for the departed and the family. The Church community surrounds the family with support and prayers. Each part of the Catholic funeral rite is a time of prayer. Prayers are said at the wake if there is one. The ultimate prayer of the Mass is offered.. The person is placed in his or her resting place with prayer and hope.
Funeral Mass:
The most important part of our funeral rites is the funeral Mass. Every Catholic is entitled to have the Mass offered for them whether they went to Mass or practiced the faith or not. The focus of the funeral rites is Christ and our belief in eternal life. This does not mean we exclude the deceased, but, we offer them back to the Lord who redeemed them and us. We turn to Christ in our grief for comfort and consolation.
Wake and Burial:
If there is a wake, the calling hours and place will be discussed with the funeral home. The burial is also scheduled with the funeral home. If someone is cremated, it is the teaching of the Church that the remains be placed in the ground or in a mausoleum to await the resurrection on the last day. Although, the preferred method is to have the body present at the funeral Mass and then cremated; there is permission to have the cremated remains at the Mass and then buried. It is the Catholic belief that the ashes are not spread in the fields, etc but are placed in a sacred place where our departed await the resurrection of the just.
Readings for the Funeral Mass
​In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the Word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life. Above all, the readings tell of God's designs for a world in which suffering and death will relinquish their hold on all whom God has called his own. A careful selection and use of readings from Scripture for the funeral rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes. In the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at the funeral liturgy, the Biblical readings may not be replaced by nonbiblical readings. But during prayer services with the family nonbiblical readings may be used in addition to readings from Scripture.
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– Order of Christian Funerals, General Introduction, nos. 22-23
First Reading Outside of the Easter Season
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​​Wisdom 3:1-6,9
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Wisdom 3:1-6, 9 short version
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Wisdom 4:7-15 FOR A YOUNG PERSON
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Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9
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Job 19:1, 23-27a
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Lamentations 3:17-26
First reading during Easter Season
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Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36, 42-43
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Revelation 14:13
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Revelation 20:11 – 21:1
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Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
Second Reading
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Romans 5:5-11
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Romans 6:3-4;8-9
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Romans 8:14-23
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Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
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Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
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1 Corinthians 15:20-28
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1 Corinthians 15:51-57
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2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1
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2 Corinthians 5:1,6-10
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Thessalonians 4:13-18
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Timothy 2:8-13
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1 John 3:1-2
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Revelation 14:13 outside of the Easter Season
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Revelation 20:11 – 21:1 outside of the Easter Season
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Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 outside of the Easter Season
Psalms always sung by the music ministry
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Ps. 23
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Ps. 27
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Ps 42
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Ps 122
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Ps 130
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Gospel chosen by the priest/deacon
Ministry at the Mass
​You are more than welcome to have people proclaim the readings at the Mass. If not, our bereavement ministers will proclaim the Word.. The Gospel for the Mass is normally chosen by the priest and it is always read by the priest or the deacon if he is present.
A person may read the Prayer of the Faithful.
Family members or friends may bring up the gifts of bread and wine to the altar If someone is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, he or she is welcome to help distribute Holy Communion
Christian Remarks
To be asked to give a reflection at a Catholic Funeral Mass is a great honor and also a great responsibility. At the Mass or Liturgy outside of Mass, Christian remarks are not a required part of the service. Please keep the following in mind as you prepare your reflection
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1. Discuss with the family that it may be better for you to give your remarks at the wake or at the burial. During those times, feel free to say what you want, etc.
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2. The remarks are to be only 3-5 minutes long and to focus on the person’s life in Christ. You may be thinking: How do I sum up someone’s life in that short of time? You can’t! Focus on these two questions:
1. What is one thing about this person that I have always admired?
2. How did he or she show me how to live my Christian faith?
ii. Respect the time limit. At this point, the family is tired and not up to a long speech. Plus, the Mass is not ended and there is still the burial service. Respect the time of the clergy who will have other appointments or services, the volunteers who are there, the music directors, etc. In my experience, the most impactful remarks were the short ones.
3. You are in a sacred place. Please do not use any profanity, tell any story that is R rated, do anything inappropriate (toasting the deceased, etc). Please do not embarrass yourself, the family or the clergy who may have to stop the remarks.
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4. Please have your remarks typed out and reviewed by the church. We will place a copy at the pulpit for you.
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5. Only one person is to speak at the Mass. I suggest others speak at the wake or at the reception after.
This is the most appropriate place where many can tell stories, etc in a relaxed and less formal environment.
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6. If the burial is at Saratoga National cemetery, I highly suggest no remarks. The National cemetery is very strict on time and if you are late you will have to wait until there is a free time. Since it takes approximately an hour to get there, any remarks can make you late.
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