FUNERALS
Our staff is committed to supporting you and your family throughout the process of planning a Funeral Mass. At the time of death, before calling your funeral home of choice, please call the Rectory Office at 925-932-2324 to schedule an appointment and to confirm availability of both the Priest and the Church. The information provided here will help you prepare for your appointment and make the planning of the Funeral Mass easier during this difficult time.
Planning A Funeral
The basic elements of a Catholic Funeral are the Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy (Mass), and the Committal Service. We will will be available to describe these to you in more depth, as some of these are optional. Below are a few additional details you may find helpful:
The basic elements of a Catholic Funeral are the Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy (Mass), and the Committal Service. We will will be available to describe these to you in more depth, as some of these are optional. Below are a few additional details you may find helpful:
- A Funeral Director associated with your funeral home or cemetery, such as Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS) or others, may be involved in the transport of the body, flowers, etc. They may also be responsible for collecting the fees associated with the service (Church, Priest, Cantor, and Accompanist).
- We offer Funeral Masses Monday - Friday at 10:00 AM.
- Family members and friends who are Catholic/Christian may serve as lectors. The privilege of being a pall bearer is at the family’s discretion.
- It is customary for a ‘pall’ to be placed over the coffin as a reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased. Family members, if they wish, may assist in placing the pall over the coffin before the funeral liturgy begins.
- Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. A book of the Gospels, a Bible or a cross may be used.
- Filling out the “Funeral Planning Form”, found below, before meeting with one of our priests will allow you more time to discuss details that are important to you and your family.
Readings
In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the readings of the word of God. 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 of one reading from each the Old and New Testaments as well as the Gospel for the Funeral Rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes. Below you’ll find specific readings to choose from. Biblical readings may not be replaced by nonbiblical readings.
In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the readings of the word of God. 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 of one reading from each the Old and New Testaments as well as the Gospel for the Funeral Rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes. Below you’ll find specific readings to choose from. Biblical readings may not be replaced by nonbiblical readings.
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First Readings
(C1) 2 Maccabees 12.43-46 (C2) Job 19.23-27 (C3) Wisdom 3.1-6.9 (Short Version) (C3) Wisdom 3.1-6.9 (Long Version) (C4) Wisdom 4.7-14 (C5) Isaiah 25.6-9 (C6) Lamentations 3.17-26 (C7) Daniel 12.1-3 (C8) Acts of the Apostles 10 34-36 42-43 Short Version (C8) Acts of the Apostles 10 34-43 Long Version (C9) Revelation 14 13 (C10) Revelation 20 11-21 1 (C11) Revelation 21 1-5a, 6b-7 |
Second Reading
(E1) Romans 5 5-11 (E2) Romans 5 17-21 (E3) Romans 6 3-4, 8-9 short version (E3) Romans 6 3-9 long version (E4) Romans 8 14-23 (E5) Romans 8 31 b-35, 37-39 (E6) Romans 14 7-9, 10c-12 (E7) 1 Corinthians 15 20-23 Short Version (E7) 1 Corinthians 15 20-28 Long Version (E8) 1 Corinthians 15 51-57 (E9) 2 Corinthians 4 14-5 1 (E10) 2 Corinthians 5 1 6-10 (E11) Philippians 3 20-21 (E12) 1 Thessalonians 4 13-18 (E13) 2 Timothy 2 8-13 (E14) 1 John 3 1-2 (E15) 1 John 3 14-16 |
Gospel Readings
(G1) Matthew 5 1-12a (G2) Matthew 11 25-30 (G3) Matthew 25 1-13 (G4) Matthew 25 31-46 (G5) Mark 15 33-39 Short Version (G5) Mark 15 33-39; 16 1-6 Long Version (G6) Luke 7 11-17 (G7) Luke 12 35-40 (G8) Luke 23 33, 39-43 (G9) Luke 23 44-46, 50, 52-53 Short Version (G9) Luke 23 44-46, 50, 52-53; 24 1-6a Long Version (G10) Luke 24 13-16, 28-35 Short version (G10) Luke 24 13-35 Long Version (G11) John 5 24-29 (G12) John 6 37-40 (G13) John 6 51-59 (G14) John 11 17-27 Long version (G14) John 11 21-27 Short version (G15) John 11 32-45 (G16) John 12 23-26 Short version (G16) John 12 23-28 Long version (G17) John 14 1-6 (G18) John 17 24-26 (G19) John 19 17-18, 25-39 |
Music
In times of grief and sorrow, we often turn to music as an expression of our faith. It can be a great source of comfort and consolation to the living. In the Funeral Liturgy, there are places where the singing of hymns is required: The Opening Hymn or Gathering Song (when we enter the church), The Hymn during the Presentation of Gifts, a Communion Hymn, The Song of Farewell, and a Recessional Hymn. It is traditional at Catholic funerals to sing a variation of the Ave Maria immediately after Holy Communion has been received. A Cantor and Accompanist will assist with leading the assembly in song.
Although a funeral is a time to pray and remember the deceased in prayer and song it is also an occasion to worship and praise almighty God for the gift of the person who has died. For this reason, conscious that we are gathered at a funeral to worship God, the only music permitted are approved hymns which you can find in the document below. It is not permissible to have popular or secular songs or any form of electronic music during the Mass.
It is preferred that we use our locally approved Cantors during the Liturgy. On occasion it may be permissible for a family member to sing a particular hymn during the Mass.
Suggested Funeral Hymns
In times of grief and sorrow, we often turn to music as an expression of our faith. It can be a great source of comfort and consolation to the living. In the Funeral Liturgy, there are places where the singing of hymns is required: The Opening Hymn or Gathering Song (when we enter the church), The Hymn during the Presentation of Gifts, a Communion Hymn, The Song of Farewell, and a Recessional Hymn. It is traditional at Catholic funerals to sing a variation of the Ave Maria immediately after Holy Communion has been received. A Cantor and Accompanist will assist with leading the assembly in song.
Although a funeral is a time to pray and remember the deceased in prayer and song it is also an occasion to worship and praise almighty God for the gift of the person who has died. For this reason, conscious that we are gathered at a funeral to worship God, the only music permitted are approved hymns which you can find in the document below. It is not permissible to have popular or secular songs or any form of electronic music during the Mass.
It is preferred that we use our locally approved Cantors during the Liturgy. On occasion it may be permissible for a family member to sing a particular hymn during the Mass.
Suggested Funeral Hymns
Remarks Of Remembrance
Remarks of Remembrance, also known as a Eulogy, is intended to be a short tribute to the life of the deceased. The Eulogy can be offered by a family member or close friend. Here are guidelines to be followed:
Remarks of Remembrance, also known as a Eulogy, is intended to be a short tribute to the life of the deceased. The Eulogy can be offered by a family member or close friend. Here are guidelines to be followed:
Cremation
Where possible, it is preferred that the deceased’s body be present in a coffin for the funeral Mass with cremation to follow. If this is not possible, and cremation is carried out before the funeral Mass is celebrated, the cremains are treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they came. It is essential that a worthy vessel to contain the ashes be used. Cremated remains must be buried intact and entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium or a grave. The church does not permit the scattering of cremated remains or retaining them in the home of a friend or relative.
Where possible, it is preferred that the deceased’s body be present in a coffin for the funeral Mass with cremation to follow. If this is not possible, and cremation is carried out before the funeral Mass is celebrated, the cremains are treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they came. It is essential that a worthy vessel to contain the ashes be used. Cremated remains must be buried intact and entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium or a grave. The church does not permit the scattering of cremated remains or retaining them in the home of a friend or relative.
Stipends & Stole Fees
Parish Fees
The full offering goes to the Parish and are typically paid directly to the funeral home.
Professional Fees
Made payable to the artists providing music.
PLEASE NOTE: The priests and deacons do not charge fees for their service. If the family wishes to provide an honorarium to the priest or deacon, it is solely at the family’s discretion.
If you have additional questions, please contact the rectory office 925-932-2324.
Parish Fees
The full offering goes to the Parish and are typically paid directly to the funeral home.
- Funeral Vigil and / or Funeral Mass or Memorial Mass with or without Committal (Active Parishioners): $300.00
- Funeral Vigil and / or Funeral Mass or Memorial Mass with or without Committal (Inactive Parishioners / Others Outside Of The Parish): $500.00
Professional Fees
Made payable to the artists providing music.
- Accompanist $250.00
- Cantor $250.00
- Design and production of color worship aid $50.00
- Livestream (if available): $250.00
- Reception $275.00
PLEASE NOTE: The priests and deacons do not charge fees for their service. If the family wishes to provide an honorarium to the priest or deacon, it is solely at the family’s discretion.
If you have additional questions, please contact the rectory office 925-932-2324.
Funeral Receptions
We do allow receptions in the Parish Hall. However, the ability to have a funeral reception is subject to the availability of our facilities and volunteers.
We do allow receptions in the Parish Hall. However, the ability to have a funeral reception is subject to the availability of our facilities and volunteers.