Funerals

This page is meant to assist families and loved ones who—while grieving—must attend to basic details of funeral planning.  When the family meets with the funeral director it is then that scheduling will be coordinated between the Funeral Home and the Parish for the services. 

The Rosary [Vigil]

It has been a longstanding custom that the Rosary is prayed by the family for the repose of the soul of the deceased prior to the funeral, but this is not mandatory. It is typically the night prior to the funeral mass at the funeral home, but at times due to family need we can have it at the church or a half hour prior to the funeral mass, also at the church. It can be led by a family member, deacon or priest. At St Paul's the deacon usually leads the rosaries for the family. It is during the Rosary vigil that—should a family member(s) wish to speak (eulogize) or offer some memories and thoughts—they can do so.  If the rosary is just prior to mass, a time for family sharing by one or two members will be made available after communion during the funeral mass.

The Funeral

There are basically three forms the funeral service can take: 1) the traditional Funeral Mass followed by Committal service at a cemetery; 2) funeral service at the Funeral Home chapel with no Mass followed by the Committal; 3) Graveside service. If Cremation is involved, the funeral can take place with the body prior to cremation or afterwards, with the cremains. Regarding cremation, the Church requires that the cremains ultimately be interred or entombed in a sacred place. 

Concerning the Funeral Mass, the family may choose Scripture readings and lectors to read them (a link to these readings is on the right of this page). It is best but not mandatory that the lector be someone who is acquainted with proclaiming the Scriptures at Mass. The Responsorial Psalm reading is typically sung by the musician and selected by the family as well. There is also the option for the family to have members bring up the Offertory Gifts. There is no need to secure Altar Servers, unless some in the family already does this and wants to assist. If the family desires to have music (it is not mandatory), then they will need to contact the office for a list musicians and arrange with them the music selection to be played (religious in nature and appropriate to what we are celebrating). A fee for the musician is worked out between them and the family. There is no fee for the church but donations are appreciated.

Funeral Luncheons

At St. Paul the Apostle we have a Bereavement Ministry that provides a funeral luncheon in the parish hall for the families of those parishioners recently deceased. In rare circumstances they are not able to provide this to families due to personal or hall related scheduling conflicts. Please contact the parish to request a luncheon and a representative will call the family.