Funeral Planning
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:57
On behalf of Christ the King, we extend our deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved. We are eager to help, support and pray for you during this difficult time.
Please select 3 Scripture Readings
1. OLD TESTAMENT (parish provides options)
2. NEW TESTAMENT (parish provides options)
3. GOSPEL (read aloud by priest)
I. OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
[OT/1] A Reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-6, 9) The souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if in the eyes of men, indeed they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them, and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
[OT/2] A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-11) There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for everything under the heavens.A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task that God hasappointed for us to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without our ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
[OT/3] A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (25:6a, 7-9) On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
[OT/4] A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (40: 28-31; 49: 1,15-16) Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though the young faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.See, upon the palms of my hands I have written your name.
[OT/5] A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (43: 1-5a) Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; For the flames shall not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in return for you. Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, And because I love you, I give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you.
II. NEW TESTAMENT READINGS
[NT/1] A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (6:3-4, 8-9) Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
[NT/2] A Reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (15:20-23) Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the first–fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first–fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
[NT/3] A Reading from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (5:6-10) Brothers and sisters: We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. We are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
[NT/4] A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (4:4-9) Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.Then the God of peace will be with you.
[NT/5] A Reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (4:13-18) We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the cloudsto meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
[NT/6] A Reading from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (4:6-8) Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
[NT/7] A Reading from the First Letter of Saint John (3:1-2) Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
III. GOSPEL READINGS
[G/1] A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (5:1-12a) When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
[G/2] A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (11:25-30) At that time Jesus answered: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
[G/3] A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (1:46-55) And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
[G/4] A reading from the holy Gospel According to John (6:51-59) Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
[G/5] A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (11:21-27) Martha said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
[G/6] A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (13: 33a, 34-35) Jesus said to his disciples: My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
[G/7] A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (14:1-6) Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Below are suggestions of well-known hymns, psalms, and songs most known by Christians. They are grouped together as suggestions of where they work best. This is by no means an exhausted list and we will do our best to find the music you request. You can download a printable version of this list HERE.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
All Creatures of Our God and King ▪ #665
Amazing Grace ▪ #701
Be Not Afraid ▪ #754
I Heard the Voice of Jesus ▪ #781
I Know That My Redeemer Lives ▪ #561
Lift High the Cross ▪ #968
On Eagle’s Wings ▪ #749
The King of Love My Shepherd Is ▪ #786
Jerusalem, My Happy Home ▪ #949
Let There Be Peace on Earth (Not in Hymnal)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd
Psalm 23: Shepherd Me, O God
Psalm 25: To You O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul
Psalm 27: The Lord is My Light
Psalm 34: The Cry of the Poor
Psalm 91: Be With Me Lord
Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS/OFFERTORY HYMN
Ave Maria (Shubert) – Solo
Be Thou My Vision ▪ #725
Eye Has Not Seen ▪ #785
Here I Am, Lord ▪ #884
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light ▪ #650
Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace ▪ #893
Lord, When You Came to the Seashore ▪ #867
On Eagle’s Wings ▪ #690
O God, You Search Me #644
On Eagle’s Wings ▪ #749
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace ▪ #893
Precious Lord, Take My Hand ▪ #784
Psalm of Hope (Not in Hymnal)
Remember Your Love ▪ #1053
The Servant Song ▪ #831
The Summons ▪ #869
These Alone Are Enough ▪ #723
Unless a Grain of Wheat ▪ #868
We Are Many Parts ▪ #910
COMMUNION SONG
Eat This Bread ▪ #943
Eye Has Not Seen ▪ #713
Gift of Finest Wheat ▪ #939
I Am the Bread of Life ▪ #950
I Receive the Living God ▪ #923
On Eagle’s Wings ▪ #690
One Bread, One Body ▪ #931
Take and Eat ▪ #940
Taste and See ▪ #945
Unless a Grain of Wheat ▪ #783
We Remember ▪ #938
CLOSING HYMN
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus ▪ #1018
Christ, Be Our Light ▪ #652
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name ▪ #662
How Can I Keep from Singing? ▪ #750
How Great Thou Art ▪ #630
Joyful, Joyful We Adore You ▪ #663
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace ▪ #893
O God beyond All Praising ▪ #674
On Eagle’s Wings ▪ #749
Precious Lord, Take My Hand ▪ #784
Sing with All the Saints in Glory ▪ #563
We Walk by Faith ▪ #740
Our response is: Risen Lord, Hear Our Prayer…
- For N., who in baptism was given the promise of eternal life, that s/he may now rest peacefully in the company of the saints. We pray to the Lord.
- For the family and friends of N., that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. We pray to the Lord.
- For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness. We pray to the Lord.
- For all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered again in God’s kingdom. We pray to the Lord.
At every FUNERAL MASS, family and friends of the beloved deceased gather to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the soul of the faithful departed to God’s tender mercy, and to comfort each other with assurances of faith until we all meet again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself. Thus, the Funeral Mass transcends a courteous expression of grief, as it is a powerful act of worship and encounter with the Living God.
- When are Funeral Masses celebrated?
Funeral Masses typically are celebrated Monday – Saturday at 10:30am. On Catholic School days, this time is set due to complexities with schedules.
- Is visitation possible at church?
For those interested, we typically are able to provide space for visitation on the day of the Funeral Mass beginning at 9:30am.
- Is it possible to have a luncheon at the church after the Funeral Mass?
For those interested, we typically are able to make available our Fellowship Hall after the Funeral Mass. Rotating volunteer teams known as “Martha’s Meals” support families by preparing and serving luncheons after Funeral Masses. Families pay only for the cost of meat, although donations always are appreciated to help perpetuate this compassionate outreach.
- What kind of music is appropriate for a Funeral Mass?
The whole congregation should be able to participate in the music chosen. Solo performances are out of place. Secular music, however sentimental, is not appropriate for our sacred setting (e.g. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”, “Ol’ Man River,” “You Lift Me Up,” and the like). We are not allowed to perform secular music without appropriate industry licensing which we do not have.
TIP! For your convenience, you will receive a listing of recommended Funeral Mass hymns in addition to recommended Scripture Readings that you can select.
- What is appropriate to use in a family’s “Words of Remembrance”?
Optional “Words of Remembrance” can be offered either before the Funeral Mass begins or after Communion. If done, a relative or friend may deliver the “Words of Remembrance” on behalf of everyone. It is not the moment for private sharing of stories or to recount of the entirety of one’s life. These remarks are to be a thoughtful expression of thanksgiving for the life of the beloved deceased that beautifully complement the Funeral Mass which is an act of worship of God. Please limit remarks one speaker and no more than two pages.
TIP! One page, single-spaced, read aloud at a normal pace is four minutes.
- What is the cost for a Funeral Mass?
A donation of $300 covers the expense of the use of our facilities along with the expense of our musician who is an independent contractor. This is collected by the Funeral Home and distributed to the parish.
NOTE: If a Funeral Home is not used, the family makes the donation directly to the parish.