CELEBRATION OF THE FUNERAL RITES

The faith of our parish family brings support and strength to those who suffer the loss of someone they love. Celebrating funeral rites is a blessed gift to the deceased and an expression of our belief in the spiritual bond between the living and the dead. Our community of faith accompanies the family and the deceased on the Christian journey to our heavenly home. 

In our liturgy, the sadness of death should give way to the joy and promise of resurrected life. Our celebration of a person’s life should reflect our conviction that in Jesus Christ, we have a life beyond our earthly existence. The Rites of Christian Burial in the Catholic Church are meant to show Jesus’ very presence to you.

     The Vigil or “Wake” allows you and your family and friends to tell stories about your deceased loved one, to pray together, and        to relax in the loving presence of Jesus.

     The Mass of Christian Burial commends your loved one to Almighty God, united to the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and          offers us Holy Communion, even now, as a foretaste of the banquet feast of Heaven.

     The Rite of Committal or Burial returns your loved one to the earth from which humans were formed to await the glorious day        of resurrection when death will be no more.

We request that if your loved one’s funeral mass or memorial service is held somewhere else besides St. Francis Borgia Church, please let the parish office know so that we can pray for them by including them in our weekend intentions at Mass. Praying for the deceased allows us to ask God to receive the deceased in heaven.
 

HOW TO BEGIN

When a loved one dies, we recommend that you contact a funeral home first. The Funeral Director will then contact the parish office to schedule the Funeral Mass and confirm the details with you. However, you may also contact the parish directly.

The next step is contacting the parish office to set up a meeting time with Father so that he may offer personal condolences to the family and go over details to appropriately celebrate the Wake Service, Mass of Christian Burial, and Final Commendation at the cemetery, or other liturgies for your loved one. During the planning time, Father will review the Scripture Readings, General Intercessions, and Music selections that the family may choose for the Funeral Mass. The Liturgy and Music departments can also help you choose them.

If you have questions regarding funeral planning in general or securing a grave site at the parish cemetery, please contact Jessie Kidwell at 636-239-6701, ext. 1510. 
 

SCRIPTURE READINGS

The reading of the Word of God is integral to the liturgical celebration. In the proclamation of the Word, God speaks to us in our needs, sorrows, fears and hopes. If someone in the family is qualified, they may serve as a lector. Parish lectors are available to read at the Mass if this would best serve the family. Please advise the priest or parish office if you would like a parish lector to be arranged. All lectors at Mass should be practicing Catholics and be able to receive the Sacraments.

The Funeral Liturgy Planning Guide offers a selection of Scripture Readings. There are usually three readings at a Funeral Mass, and lectors proclaim the first and second readings.

The first reading is taken from the Old Testament. After this Old Testament Reading, the cantor will intone the Responsorial Psalm. Psalm choices can be found on the Music Selections checklist.

The second reading is taken from the New Testament Letters or Book of Revelation. The cantor will then sing the “Alleluia” verse before the Gospel.

The third reading is taken from the Gospels. A priest or deacon always proclaims the Gospel.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

The General Intercessions (also known as the Prayer of the Faithful or Petitions) are prayed after the homily at the Funeral Mass. Families may write their own intercessions, or you may use the sample intercessions in the Funeral Liturgy Planning Guide. A deacon typically reads the Intercessions if one is present. A family member or friend may also read them. A copy of your intercessions is requested to be provided to the priest who will be celebrating the funeral mass.
 

MUSIC

Music is also an important part of the funeral rites. An organist, cantor, and, if requested, the Resurrection Choir can assist the assembly’s full participation in singing the funeral liturgy's songs, responses, and acclamations. Suggestions for music for the Funeral Mass are included in the Funeral Liturgy Planning Guide. If you are unfamiliar with the music for funerals, our Music Director can assist you in making appropriate selections, or you may leave the music to her discretion. Other hymns not listed on the sheet may be used as long as they have been approved, are in conformity with the funeral rites, and are known by our musicians. Please consult with the Music Director regarding any questions about music or if there is a request for a guest soloist, cantor, or instrumentalist. The funeral director handles all fees for the musicians, cantors, and choir. The funeral director will also contact the organist and servers.
 

WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE

The funeral liturgy allows a member or friend of the family to speak in remembrance of the deceased. It is extremely important that what is said should be Christ-centered, and the remarks said show how the person lived their Christian faith. Please refer to the Archdiocesan guidelines below for full details on offering words of remembrance, including discussing the message with the priest celebrant.

FUNERAL LITURGY PLANNING RESOURCES

We have provided you with the planning resources linked below to assist with funeral planning for yourself or a loved one. If you have any questions or need assistance making selections for a Funeral Liturgy, please contact the Parish Office at 636-239-6701, ext. 1510. If you do not have electronic access to this information, please call the parish office for a printed copy of the funeral packet.