Q&A
Planning a funeral for a loved one shouldn’t be difficult or confusing.
This list of FAQs are intended to answer some of your questions about planning a funeral Mass or Memorial service for your loved one. If you have a question that is not answered here, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you plan a beautiful, prayerful service. And we look forward to assisting you during this difficult time.
Yes. But since the church is a sacred space and the Mass is an act of worship, we ask that photographers or videographers act as unobtrusively as possible and avoid distracting worshipers from the prayer.
Yes. We have an easel that can be placed by the sanctuary to display a photograph or collage of photographs of your loved one.
We suggest that those family members and friends who have been asked to participate in the liturgy by reading one of the scriptures or the prayers of the faithful arrive at least 15 minutes before the service. This will allow time to answer any questions and run through a quick practice at the ambo (the “lectern”) using the microphone. During the Mass itself, the priest presiding at the funeral or one of the Stephen Ministers will let you know when it is time for you to go up to the ambo.
Some families like to prepare a program for their guests to follow the order of the Mass or memorial service. It is an optional addition to the funeral service and entirely up to you whether you wish to provide one or not. The Stephen Ministry can assist in creating this program and handing it out to your guests. Or if you prefer, you can prepare it yourself. For your convenience, we’ve included a link (below) to an easy-to-use the Word template from Liturgytools.net.
A Catholic funeral has three distinct parts, also called “stations:” (1) A vigil or wake, (2) the funeral Mass or memorial service, and (3) the rite of committal or burial. You can read an informative overview of Catholic funeral rites on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“At the vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence” (Order of Christian Funerals, no. 56). The Vigil Service usually takes place during the period of visitation and viewing at the funeral home. It is a time to remember the life of the deceased and to commend him/her to God. The vigil service can include readings from Sacred Scripture, reflections, prayers and eulogies recalling the life of the deceased.
The clergy and your funeral director can assist in planning such a service See the usccb.org website for more information about Catholic funeral rites.
More questions?
If you have any questions not answered here, don’t hesitate to info [at] holyspiritfremont.org (subject: Inquiry%20from%20SM%20website) (contact the Parish Office).