Funeral Information

FUNERAL INFORMATION

Funerals with a funeral director

The standard procedure for a funeral at Sacred Heart Church is that a funeral director (from a funeral home or mortuary) works with Sacred Heart's staff to discuss and finalize the details of the wake, funeral Mass or liturgy, luncheon, and interment. Funeral directors are extremely helpful to both the bereaved family and the parish in that they arrange the times of the events. Directors also provide valuable assistance with programs, easels and tables for photos, memory displays, and guest books.

After news of death, the funeral home is usually contacted first. The funeral home will then contact Sacred Heart Parish to determine possible dates and times for a funeral Mass or liturgy. The bereaved family will meet with the funeral director to discuss and confirm this information. They will then be contacted by Sacred Heart to arrange for a meeting with the priest who will preside at the funeral. At this meeting, scripture readings, hymns, and other details will be chosen. This may be done by email if need be.

Funerals without a funeral director

Should a funeral home/director not be used, the family of the deceased will deal directly with the pastor.

Mass? Liturgy without Mass?

The standard for a deceased Catholic who was in good standing with the Church is a Mass, with the body present. A Mass should always be the presumed format. If there is a question about whether a liturgy service without Mass is more appropriate, the priest should speak to the family of the deceased.

Where the deceased was not a practicing Catholic, or lived a life publicly contradicting Catholic beliefs and practice, a liturgy without Mass might be more appropriate. In the case of a public sinner, a private funeral is appropriate.

Funeral for a child who has died before Baptism

A Mass may always be celebrated for a child who has died, even without Baptism. Appropriate prayers are used if the child was not baptized.

Funeral for a non-Catholic

A Catholic funeral may be celebrated for a person who was not a Catholic. This case may arise when the living spouse is Catholic, yet the spouse who died practiced no religion.

Eulogies

The grieving process necessarily includes time to remember the life of the deceased. In the Catholic funeral rite, this is most appropriately done during the time of the Vigil Service (the wake), and/or at the bereavement luncheon. The funeral Mass is primarily the time for praise and thanks for God's gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, therefore we discourage the inclusion of a eulogy at Mass. Please plan for eulogies at the Vigil Service (the wake), at the cemetery, or at the bereavement luncheon.

Flower arrangements

Flowers may be left for use in the church at the discretion of the family as a temporary memorial to the deceased.

Photographs and memorabilia

Memorial displays are encouraged at most funeral homes. If a family wishes to have a photograph of the deceased used in church, it may be placed inside the main entrance doors near a guest book. Photographs and other memorabilia may also be placed in the church hall during the bereavement luncheon. However, no photographs or memorabilia are permitted in the nave, i.e., the central part of the church.

Bereavement luncheon

With advance notice, Sacred Heart's bereavement luncheon committee, Martha's Ministry, will assist with the set-up, serving, and clean-up for the luncheon served in the parish hall. They will also provide basic beverages (coffee, tea, etc.). A main course may be provided from a licensed caterer, restaurant, or deli, or the family itself can provide the food. Please note that Martha's Ministry relies on donations for their work.

Mass cards

Mass cards are a Catholic tradition and may be sent by Catholic or non-Catholic friends. The offering of prayers is a valued expression of sympathy to a Catholic family. A card indicating that a Mass for the deceased has been arranged may be obtained from any Catholic parish. At Sacred Heart, Mass envelopes are available at the entrances of the church and in the parish hall during the bereavement lunch.

Memorial donations

You may choose to donate, in the name of the deceased, a memorial gift. This may be for a particular item (e.g., vestments, altar candlesticks, altar cloths, parish building fund, etc.) or may be non-specific. Acknowledgements of all memorial gifts are sent by the parish secretary to the family of the deceased as well as the donor of the memorial gift.

General donations

While no stipend/fee is expected, families often choose to make a gift as a sign of their appreciation for the pastoral services rendered by the presiding priest / deacon / altar boy. In addition to the funeral service itself, this may included the Vigil Service (the wake) and interment (burial services).

Guest priest or deacon

If the bereaved family requests a guest clergy, the family must inform Sacred Heart's pastor. The funeral liturgy will be presided over by a priest of Sacred Heart Parish. The guest priest or deacon will always be welcome to concelebrate (or to assist, in the case of a deacon) as long as he is in good standing and a letter from his diocese or superior verifying same is provided to Sacred Heart 48 hours prior to the funeral. At the presider's discretion, the guest priest or deacon may be permitted to give the homily, the final commendation, and to lead the service at the cemetery. Normally, a guest priest or deacon will not preside at a funeral liturgy unless specific arrangements have been made with Sacred Heart's pastor.