Funeral Order of Service

• Begins at the door of the church, where the casket is received and family is welcomed
• Blessing of the casket with Baptismal Water, placement of Pall (white cloth), Bible, Crucifix
• If there are cremated remains present in an urn or box, the above two items take place after the procession, at the front near the altar
• Procession
• Opening Prayer

• First Reading (read by family/friend)
• Responsorial Psalm
• Second Reading (optional, read by family/friend)
• Gospel Acclamation/Alleulia
• Gospel Reading (read by priest/deacon)
• Homily
• Prayers of the Faithful (read by family/friend)

• Presentation of the Gifts of Bread and Wine (offered by 2 family/friends)
• Eucharistic Prayer and Acclamations
• Lord's Prayer
• Sign of Peace
• Communion Rite

• Remembrance or Eulogy
• Song of Farewell
• Final Commendation/Blessing
• Recessional Song as the assembly exits

The funeral celebration can be a time when many decisions need to be made, and where everyone in the family and circle of friends would like to have a role in those decisions.  Here are some ways to honor your loved one through the environment in the church, and special touches that can be very meaningful for all who gather to celebrate.

• Have a guest book (we provide a pedestal book stand)
• Table for programs, prayer cards, mementos or small framed photos (we provide a 6ft. table and tablecloth)
• Photo posterboard collages (we provide easels)

• Large arrangements on wire or wood florist easels will be arranged by our funeral team members in appropriate places as they arrive at the church
• Certain seasons of the church year will determine what our typical environment will look like - some seasons have no flowers, some have plentiful flowers and plants.  The funeral coordinator will explain what you can expect to see in the church.
• You may wish to have a small arrangement near the guest book or near the urn or photo area

• If your loved one's remains are cremated, we provide a table with space for a small photo, military flag, and floral arrangement, if desired
• Large portrait photo (11x14 or larger is best for visibility (we provide an easel)

• You may choose to have a family member or friend deliver a message of remembrance (eulogy) at the end of the service.  This talk is best limited to 3-5 minutes, should be written out rather than impromptu, and should focus on the evidence of Christian living in the life of your loved one, or what examples and lessons he or she leaves to family and friends.

• Slideshows may be produced using software that utilizes embedded music background or without
• The slideshow should be saved to a flash/USB drive and delivered to the church office no later than 48 hours prior to the service time, for testing purposes - surprise technical errors on the day of the funeral are usually avoidable

• The funeral home director is the best resource for the types of military honors that can be provided for your loved one 
• Military honors MAY include flag folding, presetation of the flag, playing of Taps.  These may occur at the end of the service before the final procession, outdoors on our church plaza immediately following the service, or at the cemetery

• Our parish has the capability to livestream via Facebook and Youtube.  This means your loved ones from out of town can view the service in almost real-time.  A link to the recording can be sent to the family after the service.
• If there is a question of copyright for certain song selections, part of the service will need to be omitted from the livestream and recording; this particularly can be a concern with songs chosen for the slideshow, but the slideshow can be sent by the family as a link on its own.