Saint Francis de Sales Church

The Catholic Funeral

Death for the Christian is a time of fulfillment. The victory over sin and death which Jesus Christ won for us by His birth, life, sufferings, death, resurrection and ascension is given by the Lord Jesus to the Church, the Body of Christ, to the members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Born into the Church through water and the Spirit in baptism, Christians share in the victory of Christ through their sharing in the sacramental life of the Church.

The hope of resurrection we celebrate at the death of our brothers and sisters mixes painfully with the sorrow of loss and separation. While we miss our loved ones, for us, the living, life must go on. Just as the grief of Good Friday preceded the joy of Easter, so too our lives are a tension between sorrow and joy, incompleteness and fulfillment.

In our funerals, we as Christians gather to celebrate the promise of eternal life God made to us at Baptism, and pray for our loved one for whom those promises are nearing fulfillment. The Church commends her deceased child to God and comforts her grieving children who mourn the loss of their loved one by celebrating the new and eternal sacrifice of Jesus’ Easter Mystery and proclaims her unwavering belief of everlasting life in the Risen Savior through Word, Sacrament and music.

Stages of the Catholic Funeral

The Vigil. At the Vigil the community keeps watch with the family in prayer. The Vigil is led by a priest, deacon or lay person. At the Vigil the scriptures and prayer provide comfort and hope in the face of darkness and death. The rosary or a portion of it may be included in the Vigil Service.

The Funeral Mass is the centerpiece of the Catholic Funeral. In the Mass, the community gathers with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ's victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God's tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for the deceased person.

The Committal is the conclusion of the funeral. It is led by a priest, deacon or lay person. It is celebrated beside the grave, crypt of niche. In committing the body or cremated remains to its resting place the community proclaims its hope that the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection of the body. Preferably a Catholic is buried or placed in a mausoleum in a Catholic cemetery.

Cremation

In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted its prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. The 1983 Code of Canon Law clarifies the Church’s stand on cremation in Canon 1176, "The Church earnestly recommends the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed, it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching." Cremation is prohibited only if the person choosing cremation does so to deny Christian teachings, especially those of the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul. The church strongly prefers that cremation takes place after the full Funeral Liturgy where the body is present, for "This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the bread of life." When this is not possible it is appropriate that the cremated remains be present for the Funeral Mass. The cremated remains are to be buried or placed in a mausoleum. Scattering cremated remains at sea, from the air, on the ground or keeping them at home is not the reverent disposition that the Church asks.

Participation in the Funeral

Family members may participate in placing the pall (echoing the clothing with Christ at baptism, c.f. Gal. 3:27) on the casket during the gathering rite of the Funeral Mass.

Members of the family or friends may wish to proclaim the Scriptures. The lector does not just “read the Bible.” In this special role, the lector helps to make God present among the gathered community of faith. You may choose two lectors: one to proclaim the Old Testament passage and one to proclaim the New Testament reading which you select. The reader during the celebration of the Eucharist should be a Catholic inasmuch as the one who proclaims the Word on behalf of the assembly should also be part of the assembly in the sharing of Holy Communion. Readers should be familiar with the readings. Readers may sit with the assembly and approach the Ambo (Pulpit) after the Opening Prayer. After the reading they may return to their seat. A third person (Catholic or non-Catholic) may be chosen to announce the petitions for the Prayer of the Faithful. Please choose from among the selections below the Scriptures passages to be proclaimed.

Two family members or friends may present the bread and wine for the Eucharist following the Prayer of the Faithful.

Musical selections for the funeral may be discussed with the musician. The use of our own parish musicians is a necessity. At the time of the death of a loved one, the family and friends grieve together and should allow the community through the priest and musicians to minister to them. Catholic funerals thank God for the gift of the deceased’s life, beg for God’s mercy upon the deceased and do so in the context of our worship of God. Please keep in mind that sacred music appropriate for Catholic funerals is to be used. The selection of music is often best left to the music ministers. The deceased may have a “favorite song” that meant something to him/her. The appropriate place and time for such a song is at the reception.

Sometimes the family may wish to remember their loved one in eulogy. The Order of Christian Funerals reads, “A member or a friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins.” Thus, one person may speak in remembrance. In thoughtfulness toward those who gather with you to remember and pray for your loved one, please limit the eulogy to two to three minutes. It is a good idea, given an emotional and difficult time, to have the eulogy written out. The speaker will have before him/her what he/she desires to say. If the speaker is overcome and unable to deliver the eulogy, someone else can read their talk. Additional eulogies can be delivered at the vigil or wake before the Funeral Mass or at the graveside or at the reception following the graveside.

Music in Catholic Funerals

“Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering death and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.”

“Since music can evoke strong feelings, the music for the celebration of the funeral rites should be chosen with great care. The music at funerals should support, console and uplift the participants and should help to create in them a spirit of hope in Christ’s victory over death and in the Christian’s share in that victory.”

(Order of Christian Funerals, General Introduction, paragraphs 30 and 31)

To assist you, some of the most frequently used songs are listed below. Or, if you wish, you may leave the choice of hymns up to the musician. Sacred music appropriate to Catholic funerals is to be used. Any favorite songs of the deceased are best played at the reception following the funeral. Recorded or taped music and recorded or taped singing can be played at the Vigil, at the graveside or at the reception following the funeral.

For music please call Kathy Palma at 818-360-3525 or at 818-389-7151. Kathy will play the organ or piano. If you wish to have a singer/cantor at the funeral Kathy will arrange for a singer. The fee for the organist is $150.00 and the fee for the singer is $150.00. Please give the fee to Kathy or to the priest before the funeral begins.

All Creatures of our God and King

Amazing Grace

All I Ask of You

Ave Maria

Be Not Afraid

Blest Are They

Be With Me

Let There Be Peace on Earth

Like a Shepherd

Now Thank We All our God

On Eagle’s Wings

Center of My Life

City of God

Come to Me

Eat This Bread

Eye Has Not Seen

For All the Saints

Here I Am Lord

Hosea

How Great Thou Art

I Am the Bread of Life

I Heard the Voice of Jesus

I, the Lord

Panis Angelicus

Prayer of St. Francis

Resucito

Song of Farewell

The Lord is My Shepherd

You are Mine

You are Near

We Will Rise Again

Old Testament Readings

1. A reading from the book of Job 19:1, 23-27

Job answered and said:

Oh, that my words were written down!

Would that they were inscribed in a record:

That with an iron chisel and with lead

They were cut in the rock forever!

But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,

And that he will at least stand forth upon the dust;

Whom I myself shall see:

My own eyes, not another’s shall behold him,

And from my flesh I shall see God;

My inmost being is consumed with longing.

The Word of the Lord

2. A reading from the book of Wisdom 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,

and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;

and their passing away was thought an affliction

and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

For if before men, indeed, they be punished,

yet is their hope full of immortality;

chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,

because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them,

and as sacrificial offerings he took them to Himself.

In the time of their visitation they shall shine,

and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;

they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,

and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in Him shall understand truth,

and the faithful shall abide with him in love:

because grace and mercy are with His holy ones and His care is with His elect.

The Word of the Lord

3. A reading from the book of Wisdom 4:7-15

The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.

For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time,

Nor can it be measured in terms of years.

Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men,

and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.

He who pleased God was loved;

He who lived among sinners was transported – Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind Or deceit beguiles his soul;

For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right

And the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.

Having become perfect in a short while, he reached

The fullness of a long career;

For his soul was pleasing to the Lord,

Therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness.

But the people saw and did not understand,

Nor did they take this into account.

Because grace and mercy are with His holy ones,

And His care is with His elect.

The Word of the Lord

4. A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts

will provide for all peoples.

On this mountain he will destroy

the veil that veils all people,

the web that is woven over all nations;

He will destroy death forever.

The Lord God will wipe away

the tears from all faces;

the reproach of His people He will remove

from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.

On that day it will be said:

“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!

This is the Lord for whom we looked;

let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”

The Word of the Lord

5. A reading from the book of Lamentations 3:17-26

My soul is deprived of peace,

I have forgotten what happiness is:

I tell myself my future is lost,

all that I hoped for from the Lord.

The thoughts of my homeless poverty

is wormwood and gall;

remembering it over and over

leaves my soul downcast within me.

But I will call this to mind,

as my reason to have hope:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,

His mercies are not spent;

they are renewed each morning,

So great is His faithfulness.

My portion is the Lord, says my soul;

therefore will I hope in Him.

Good is the Lord to one who waits for Him,

to the soul that seeks Him;

it is good to hope in silence

for the saving help of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord.

6. A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel 12:1-3

I, Daniel, mourned and I heard this word of the Lord:

At that time there shall arise

Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people;

it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress

since nations began until that time.

At that time your people shall escape,

everyone who is found written in the book.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;

some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.

But the wise shall shine brightly

like the splendor of the firmament,

and those who lead the many to justice

shall be like the stars forever.”

The Word of the Lord

7. A reading from the second book of Maccabees 12:43-46

Judas, the ruler of Israel, then took up a collection among all his soldiers,

amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalms

Psalm 23

Response: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me

to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;

He is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever.

Psalm 27

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my help;

whom shall I fear?

the Lord is the stronghold of my life;

before whom shall I shrink?

There is one thing I ask of the Lord,

for this I long,

to live in the house of the Lord,

all the days of my life,

to savor the sweetness of the Lord,

to behold his temple.

O Lord, hear my voice when I call;

have mercy and answer.

It is your face, O Lord that I seek;

hide not your face.

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness

in the land of the living.

Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.

Hope in the Lord!

Psalm 42 and 43

Response: My soul is thirsting for the living God; when shall I see him face to face?

Like the deer that yearns

For running streams,

So my soul is yearning

For you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for God,

The God of my life;

When can I enter and see

The face of God?

O send forth your light and your truth;

let these be my guide.

Let them bring me to your holy mountain

to the place where you dwell.

And I will come to the altar of God,

the God of my joy.

My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp,

o God, my God.

Why are you cast down, my soul,

why groan within me?

Hope in God; I will praise him still,

my savior and my God.

Psalm 103

Response: The Lord is kind and merciful.

The Lord is compassion and love,

Slow to anger and rich in mercy.

He does not treat us according to our sins

Nor repay us according to our faults.

As a father has compassion on his sons,

The Lord has pity on those who fear him;

For he knows of what we are made,

He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

He flowers like the flower of the field;

The wind blows and he is gone

And his place never sees him again.

But the love of the Lord is everlasting

Upon those who hold him in fear;

His justice reaches out to children’s children

When they keep his covenant in truth

Psalm 130

Response: Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.

Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord,

Lord hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive

To the voice of my pleading.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,

Lord, who would survive?

But with you is found forgiveness:

For this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord,

I count on his word.

My soul is longing for the Lord

More than watchmen for daybreak.

Because with the Lord there is mercy

And fullness of redemption,

Israel indeed he will redeem

From all its iniquity.

New Testament Readings

During the Easter Season (from Easter until Pentecost), readings 1, 17, or 18 are used as the first reading instead of a reading from the Old Testament.

1. A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43

Peter proceeded to address the people in these words:

“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

The Word of the Lord.

2. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 5:5-11

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life, Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through who we have now received reconciliation.

The Word of the Lord.

3. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 5:17-21

If, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification came to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Word of the Lord.

4. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 6:3-9

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

The Word of the Lord.

5. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 8:14-23

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

The Word of the Lord.

6. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Word of the Lord

7. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 14:7-9, 10b-12

None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me,

and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.

The Word of the Lord

8. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians 15:20-23, 24b-28

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first-fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.” But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the One who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

The Word of the Lord.

9. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians 15:51-57

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when that which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and that which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death is your victory?

Where, O death is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Word of the Lord.

10. A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 4:14-5:1

We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

The Word of the Lord

11. A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 5:1, 6-10

We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

The Word of the Lord

12. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians 3:20-21

Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

The Word of the Lord

13. A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord he, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.

The Word of the Lord

14. A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy 2:8-13

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;

If we persevere we shall also reign with him.

But if we deny him he will deny us.

If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

The Word of the Lord.

15. A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy 4:6-8

I for my part am already being poured out like a libation. The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me – and not only to me but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing.

The Word of the Lord

16. A reading from the first letter of John 3:1-2

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

The Word of the Lord.

17. A reading from the first letter of John 3:14-16

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that a murderer has not eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that Jesus laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

The Word of the Lord

18. A reading from the book of Revelation 14:13

I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “Let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”

The Word of the Lord

19. A reading from the book of Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”

The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my Son.”

The Word of the Lord

20. A reading from the Book of Revelation 7:9-10, 15-17

After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne and from the Lamb.”

“For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or the heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The Word of the Lord.

21. A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will.

The Word of the Lord

Prayer of the Faithful

Priest: My brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus is risen from the dead and sits at the right

hand of the Father, where He intercedes for His Church. Confident that God

hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to His.

Reader: In baptism N. received the light of Christ. Scatter the darknesss now and lead

him/her over the waters of death, we pray to the Lord

Reader: Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the

Kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son, we pray to the Lord

Reader: Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest

and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone, we pray to the Lord

Reader: The family and friends of N. seek comfort and consolation. Heal their pain and

dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief, we pray to the Lord

Reader: We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister N.

Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s

coming, we pray to the Lord

Priest: Lord God, giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of the redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the voices of your people whose lives were purchased by the Blood of the Lamb. Forgive the sins of all who sleep in Christ and grant them a place in the kingdom where you live forever and ever. Amen

Priest: God, the almighty Father, raised Christ his Son from the dead; with confidence

we ask him to save all his people, living and dead:

Reader: For N who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that he/she may

now be admitted to the company of the saints. We pray to the Lord

Reader: For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that

they may have the reward of their goodness. We pray to the Lord

Reader: For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may

see God face to face. We pray to the Lord

Reader: For the family and friends of our brother/sister N that they may be consoled

in their grief by the Lord, who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. We

pray to the Lord

Reader: For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered

together again in God’s kingdom. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: God, our shelter and our strength, you listen to in love to the cry of your people;

hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters. Cleanse them

of their sins and grant them the fullness of redemption.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Preparing the Funeral Mass

Gathering Rite

Greeting of the Body in the vestibule of the Church. The body is sprinkled with holy water and the pall may be placed upon the casket as a reminder of the clothing with Christ at baptism

Processional Song – during which the casket is escorted into the Church and the mourners stand in their seats until the Opening Prayer is completed.

Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

Old Testament Reading – the proclamation of the Word is God encountering us and speaking to us through the Scriptures therefore non-Biblical readings are not appropriate

Psalm

New Testament Reading –

Prayer of the Faithful – prayers for the deceased, the family, the Church and the world

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Gifts

Gifts of bread and wine brought forward by

Song at the Preparation

Communion Songs

Prayer after Communion

Eulogy – a short remembrance of the deceased

Final Commendation – the Church’s farewell to her child

Invitation to Prayer

Song of Farewell – the body is sprinkled with holy water and incensed.

Prayer of Commendation

Procession to the place of committal