All the baptized are entitled to the full Rite of Christian Burial. You and your family will experience the Rite of Christian Burial in three distinct and important parts:
The Wake Service
This will take place during the visiting hours at the funeral home you have chosen. A member of the Parish Staff will lead this service of prayer and Scripture. “The vigil for the deceased is the principal rite celebrated by the Christian community in the time following death and before the funeral liturgy.” 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.” Taken from the “Order of Christian Funerals”, 1989.
At this time someone from the family, or a friend, may wish to remember the deceased by sharing personal memories, as in a eulogy.
The Funeral Liturgy
“The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. At the funeral liturgy all gather with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to God for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to God’ s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the Paschal mystery.” Taken from the “Order of Christian Funerals”, 1989.
This is almost always celebrated within a Mass. The bodily remains are honored by being brought to the Church. We celebrate the life of the deceased in the whole context of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Committal
“The rite of committal, the conclusion of the funeral rites, is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses the hope that, with all those who have gone before marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection.” Taken from the “Order of Christian Funerals”.
A parish priest or deacon will accompany the remains and the family to the cemetery, where the Rite of Christian Burial will conclude with the prayers of Committal and Final Commendation. Should one wish to speak in memory of the deceased, as in a eulogy or a remembrance, the Funeral Rite allows for such to usually take place as part of the Prayer of Commendation that will be prayed at the cemetery.
If you are visiting this page due to the loss of a loved one, please accept our sincere condolences.