What to do in the case of a bereavement when you desire a funeral in the Parish Community 

 

The death of a friend or a relative is always a time of sorrow and pain. The parish community of St Vincent's wishes to share in your pain. St Paul wrote: If one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church, all members suffer with that member (1 Cor 12:26).

 

It is in these moments of sorrow and pain that we find consolation in our faith in the resurrection of the dead. St Paul writes: We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that in the same way God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thess. 4:14).

 

What do we celebrate in a Christian funeral? We offer thanks to God for the gift of the life of the deceased and we pray for him or her. We listen to the Word of God which consoles the sorrowing. And we commend the dead to God's merciful love.

 

First steps...

 

The first person to contact regarding arrangements for the funeral is the funeral director. The funeral director will contact the priest(s) in the Parish to agree on the date and the time for the funeral liturgy. When the day and the time have been fixed, the priest who will lead the funeral liturgy will visit you or will invite you to come to St Vincent's presbytery.

 

Options to consider…

 

The funeral liturgy can take two forms: A Requiem Mass (Funeral Mass) or a Funeral Service. The Church encourages the Celebration of the Mass for the Dead at funerals.  However, while the Eucharist is our central act of worship, it is not always the best option for every funeral. To celebrate a funeral without Mass, i.e. a Funeral service, is also a valid form of Catholic worship.