Planning for a Mass of Christian Burial

In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life, and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has achieved his task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God. 

Christians celebrate funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life, which has now been returned to God, the author of life, and the hope of the just.  The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral. 

The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. At the funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints.  Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession. 

At the Rite of Final Commendation and Farewell, the community acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God. In this way it recognizes the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaims its belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heaven and a new earth, where death will be no more. 

The church provides an organist, and a song leader. Any additional voices, or instruments, are the responsiblity of the family. 

 

Family, please click here to fill out forms

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Music Selections (click to hear)

Gathering Song Suggestions

Alleluia, Sing to Jesus                                   Here I Am, Lord

Amazing Grace                                             I Heard the Voice of Jesus

Be Not Afraid                                                 Lift High the Cross

For All the Saints                                           Sing with All the Saints in Glory

Eternal Father Strong to Save                       Other: Discuss with Father

 

Preparation of the Gifts Song Suggestions

In Every Age                                                  Age to Age

Dwelling Place                                              Beyond the Moon and Stars

Open My Eyes                                               One Love Released

Eye Has Not Seen                                         Prayer of St Francis

How Great Thou Art                                       We Remember

On Eagle's Wings                                           Other: Discuss with Father

 

Preparation of the Gifts Song Suggestions

As Grains of Wheat                                        I Am the Bread of Life

Taste of See                                                   The Supper of the Lord

Behold the Lamb                                            One Bread, One Body

Bread for the World                                        Spirit and Grace

In the Breaking of the Bread                          Other: Discuss with Father

 

Post Communion Meditation (optional)

Ave Maria                                                      Serdeczna Matko

 

Commendation 

Saints of God (Standard)

 

Procession to Place of Committal

May the Choirs of Angels (Standard)

 

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Reading Suggestions

Old Testament Reading Selections (click to read)

Reading 1 (2 Maccabees 12:43-46)

Reading 2 (Job 19:1, 23-27a)

Reading 3 (Wisdom 3:1-6)

Wisdom 3:1-6, 9

Reading 4 (Wisdom 4:7-15)

Reading 5 (Isaiah 25:6a;7-9)

Reading 6 (Lamentations 3:17-26)

Reading 7 (Daniel 12:1-3)

 

New Testament Reading Selections (click to read)

Reading 1 (Romans 5:5-11)

Reading 2 (Romans 5:17-21)

Reading 3 (Romans 6:3-4, 8-9)

Reading 3A (Romans 6:3-9)

Reading 4  (Romans 8:14-23)

Reading 5  (Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39)

Reading 6  (Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12)

Reading 7 (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

Reading 7A  (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

Reading 8  (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

Reading 9 (2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1)

Reading 10 (2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10)

Reading 11 (Philippians 3:20-21)

Reading 12 (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Reading 13 (2 Timothy 2:8-13)

Reading 14 (1 John 3:1-2)

Reading 15 (1 John 3:14-16)

 

Gospel Reading Selections (click to read)

Reading 1 (Matthew 5:1-12a)

Reading 2 (Matthew 11:25-30)

Reading 3 (Matthew 25: 1-13)

Reading 4 (Matthew 25: 31-46)

Reading 5 (Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6)

Reading 5A (Mark 15:33-39)

Reading 6 (Luke 7:11-17)

Reading 7 (Luke 12:35-40)

Reading 8 (Luke 23:33, 39-43)

Reading 9 (Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a)

Reading 9A (Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53)

Reading 10 (Luke 24:13-35)

Reading 10A (Luke 24:13-16, 28-35)

Reading 11 (John 5:24-29)

Reading 12 (John 6:37-40)

Reading 13 (John 6:51-59)

Reading 14 (John 11:17-27)

Reading 14A (John 11: 21-27)

Reading 15 (John 11: 32-45)

Reading 16 (John 12: 23-28)

Reading 16A (John 12: 23-26)

Reading 17 (John 14: 1-6)

Reading 18 (John 17: 24-26)

Reading 19 (John 19: 17-18, 25-39)