Funeral Mass Planning & Guidelines

JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF “Journey through Grief” our parish bereavement support program that is offered in the Fall and in the Spring.  The group is open to all those grieving the loss of a loved one. There is no cost, but we do ask you to register. Please contact Cheryl Gatti via phone at 908-285-0330 or email at [email protected].com for more information. 

The following will review how the Funeral Mass unfolds and help as you make choices for the Mass.  The Funeral Liturgy Planner will help guide the family through this process (link in box to the left).

The family may pick one reading from the Old Testament (1st Reading), and may also select one from the New Testament (2nd Reading) if they would like two readings.  Please also select four (4) Funeral Hymns.  The choices for each section are included in the box to the left.


Please be sure to also review the Eulogy Guidelines.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Greeting
The celebrant meets the family/funeral procession at the doors of the church with words of greeting, “The grace and peace of God our Father, who raised Jesus from the dead, be always with you.”  We respond, “And also with you”.  He continues in prayer while sprinkling the casket with Holy Water.  The pall is then placed on the casket.

Gathering Hymn*
As the funeral procession walks down the aisle led by the celebrant the Gathering hymn begins.

Invitation to Prayer
After everyone is seated the celebrant asks those present to pray: “My brothers and sisters, we believe”, or similar words.

Opening Prayer
The celebrant prays one of the several choices of prayers.
 

LITURGY OF THE WORD
 
Family members or friends are encouraged to participate in the Liturgy of the Word by assuming readings that are chosen.

First Reading (Old Testament)
A member of the family or another person reads one of the selected Old Testament readings from the Order of Christian Funerals.

Responsorial Psalm (Song of Praise)
The responsorial psalm is sung. 

Second Reading (New Testament)
A member of the family or another person may read one of the selected New Testament readings from the Order of Christian Funerals.

Gospel
The celebrant or deacon reads the Gospel.

Homily
The celebrant often refers to the thoughts that have been provided by family or others that show how the loved one lived out the Christian way and values.

General Intercessions/ Prayers of the Faithful
The celebrant reads the intercessions.

 
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Presentation of the Gifts
Due to Restrictions from the COVID pandemic, the gifts are not brought up to the altar during Mass.   We look forward to resuming our "normal" procedures after the state of emergency has been lifted.

The family is encouraged to choose family or friends to bring up the gifts.  The gifts normally carried up are the bowl of hosts, water, and wine.

Lord’s Prayer

Communion
If the family has Eucharistic Ministers it is good to mention that as you discuss with the Priest.

Song of Farewell (Incensing)*
The Song of Farewell is usually sung during the incensing. 

Prayer of Commendation 
The priest commends the deceased into the hands of Our Lord.  He then prays “In peace let us take our brother/sister to his/her place of rest,” or something similar when the funeral procession will be proceeding to the place of burial.
The casket is prepared by the funeral directors and the procession leaves the church.

Recessional Hymn (Sending Forth Hymn)*
The priest leads the procession out of the church at which time the hymn that the family has chosen is sung.  The family follows behind the casket.  The pall is removed at the doors of the church.

Four (4) hymns are to be chosen by the family. The Music Director will appropriately determine when a particular song is sung during the Mass.