We are very sorry for the loss of your loved one. If you need help during this very sad and stressful time, please call our office and we can help you with planning a Catholic funeral.
As you plan the funeral of your loved one, we hope that your experience will be filled with much support and care. Your participation in the planning process will allow Prince of Peace Parish to personalize the Mass. A Catholic funeral is structured in such a way as to invite participation by those closest to the deceased. In this way, memories are created as we fulfill the corporal work of mercy by burying the dead and the spiritual work of mercy of praying for the dead.
If you are being assisted by the service of a funeral director, the funeral director will contact the Parish on your behalf to schedule the funeral: wake, Mass and burial. If you have chosen cremation and not involving a funeral director, you will need to be in direct contact with the Parish. The customary fee for funerals within the parish is $350.00. This fee includes the use of the church and the services of organist and cantor. In keeping with our hope in the resurrection of the body, it is expected that cremated remains will be buried in an individual grave or columbaria. Catholic teaching urges us to reverence cremated remains just as we reverence the body.
The parish has a form to guide your planning of the funeral. You may download a copy of the form at the following link: Funeral Planning Form, or you can contact the office for a copy.
STEP 1: PROVIDING NAMES OF THOSE WHO WISH TO PLACE THE PALL ON THE CASKET (OPTIONAL CROSS AND BIBLE)
The pall is the white cloth that covers the casket during a Catholic funeral. The pall recalls the white garment worn by Catholic Christians at the time of one's baptism. It may be placed on the casket by family members or friends. A pall is not placed over cremated remains. If the deceased has a personal bible and/or cross, family members or loved ones are invited to place these on the casket at the beginning of Mass
STEP 2: CHOOSING THE FIRST AND SECOND READING AND PROVIDING THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO WILL BE READING THEM DURING THE FUNERAL
The first step in planning a funeral is to choose the Scripture readings to be read as part of the Liturgy of the Word. The possible readings for the First and Second Reading are provided at the following links:
First Reading from the Old Testament (Section A)
Second Reading from the New Testament (Section B)
STEP 3: CHOOSING THE GOSPEL READING
The second step is to choose the Gospel reading which will be read by the priest. Choose one reading from the G section at the following link:
Gospel Reading from one of the four Gospels (Section C)
STEP 4: PROVIDING A READER FOR THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Following the homily, a family member or friend may read the General Intercessions.
NOTE: The parish could provide parishioners who could read in the event that there is no one from the family who would like to read.
STEP 5: PROVIDING 2 NAMES OF THOSE WHO WILL BRING THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND WINE FOR THE EUCHARIST
Bread and wine are brought to the altar for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which will be offered for the deceased.
STEP 6: CHOOSING MUSIC FOR THE CATHOLIC MASS
Work with parish musicians to choose the music sung at the Catholic funeral Mass. Please remember that all hymns and songs must reflect the sacred nature of the Catholic funeral in a Catholic Church.
DOWNLOAD THE PLANNING FORM
- Funeral in the Church
- Funeral in the Funeral Home or Cemetery