Funeral Planning and Liturgy Guidance
Funeral Planning Worksheet
If you have any questions, please send them to Consolation and Funeral Planning
Scripture Selections:
Our funeral planning ministry will contact you and guide you through the funeral or memorial Mass Liturgy preparation to select Scripture readings and music for your loved one. In every celebration for the dead, the Church attaches great importance to the reading of the living Word of God. The readings proclaim to the assembly the Paschal Mystery, teach remembrance of the dead, convey the hope of being gathered together again in God's kingdom, and encourage the witness of Christian life. Above all, 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 and use of readings from Scripture for the funeral rites will provide the family with an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their needs, sorrows, fears, and hopes.
The family will be able to select three readings and which family member or friend will do the reading. If you would like the presiding priest to select all or some of the readings or music, please let our Bereavement Ministry know.
Please select these readings by clicking on the three sources below:
Words of Remembrance:
Please follow the guidelines below, as they are intended to respectfully remember your loved one.
Decide with family members if Words of Remembrance will be given (this part of the Mass is optional). Remember there are many opportunities for individuals to share remembrances before or after the Mass, perhaps at the wake, cemetery or reception.
Only one person may speak on behalf of the family. Please keep your remembrance simple, brief and prepared, no longer than 2 minutes. That is about one page of double spaced printed text.
Music Selections:
Ave Maria (Arcadelt, Schubert, Bach/Gounod)
Abide With Me (Lyte/Monk)
Amazing Grace (Newton)
Be Not Afraid (Dufford)
Come, All You Blessed Ones (Warner)
Come to Me (Norbet)
Eye Has Not Seen (Haugen)
Here I Am, Lord (Schutte)
How Great Thou Art (Hine)
I Am the Bread of Life (Toolan)
I Have Loved You (Joncas)
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Bonar, text/Traditional folk tune used in England and Ireland)
Jerusalem, My Happy Home (Land of Rest hymn tune/American folk melody)
Just a Closer Walk With Me (Traditional American folk song)
Keep in Mind (Deiss)
Lord of All Hopefulness (Slane/Irish folk tune)
Lord of the Dance (Carter/Shaker tune)
On Eagle’s Wings (Joncas)
O God Our Help in Ages Past (Watts/Croft; St. Anne hymn tune)
Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Precious Lord Take My Hand (Allen/Dorsey)
Prayer of St. Francis (Temple)
We Remember (Haugen)
We Shall Walk Through the Valley (African American tune)
We Walk By Faith (Haugen)
You Are Near (Schutte)
Appropriate for the Final Commendation and Farewell
The following two settings use the Londonderry Air (also known as Danny Boy) for the hymn tune:
Celtic Song of Farewell (Adapted by Schaubel)
O Loving God (McCoy, text)