Arranging a Funeral

Death in a family can be a very sad and difficult time. The Church, however, can be a source of tremendous support and comfort. In some cases there may have been no previous Church contact, whereas in others there may have been a long illness, during which the priest will have been in regular contact with the family.

• When a person dies it is important to be in contact with the priest as soon as possible; certainly before any funeral arrangements are made.
• A death certificate will be necessary. This is usually provided by the family doctor or hospital.
• Make contact with your chosen funeral undertaker who, in turn, will be in touch with your parish priest to arrange dates and times for funeral services (costs can vary so check with the undertaker how much the account will be. Burial can be more expensive than cremation)

Funerals usually take place in the local parish church but there may be good reasons for having the funeral in some other church. It is good to remember that the funeral service can take place in a funeral parlour, crematorium, cemetery, church or combination of any two. When a funeral takes place in a Catholic church there may be an evening reception of the body or it may be brought to the church on the day of the funeral. For Catholic families who do not go to church very often there is always the option of a funeral service without Mass – this can help to avoid any embarrassment. The family should discuss which is most appropriate with the parish priest.

When there is a Requiem Mass the family will have the option of partaking in the service by assisting with- the Readings (usually two, the priest will help in the choice of these)
the Offertory Procession (two or more persons)
choosing appropriate hymns (remember it is a sacred service in church)
the preparation of the homily by giving the priest suitable information if requested
the preparation of a suitable leaflet containing the order of service.

It is Catholic custom to give Mass Cards to the family of the deceased. This means asking a priest to offer Mass for the deceased person. An offering is given to the priest. Some people like to send flowers. If there are flowers an arrangement may be selected to be placed on the coffin or on the altar or both. If a cremation is taking place it might be a good idea to return some of the flowers to the church - check with the priest if this is in order. Catholic funeral services can be very uplifting and dignified, giving much comfort to the family. But it is good to remember that a funeral or Requiem Mass is supposed to reflect the life of a Christian person within the community of the Church. With this in mind it is important to avoid secular trappings which could detract from the sacredness of the occasion. People sometimes ask about fees for the priest or church - it is customary to simply make a donation in keeping with the financial status of the family. Some families like to acknowledge those who have shared in their grief or mourning by sending a "thank you card" or having Mass offered for their intentions. Sometimes memorial cards are prepared and given to family and friends of the deceased. Many of our Catholic churches in this part of Scotland have a special Mass during the month of November for those who have died in the previous year. Anniversaries are times to remember to pray for loved ones who have died.

Entrance Hymn No. 122

Do not be afraid,
for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name;
you are mine.

1. When you walk through the waters,
I’ll be with you.
You will never sink beneath the waves.

5. You are mine, O my child; I am your Father,
and I love you with a perfect love.

First Reading from St. Paul to the Colossians

You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these cloths, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

R./ May the house of the Lord be at peace.

1. Let us go to the house of the Lord” they said;
O how great was our joy when we heard
Now our feet are set firm on Jerusalem’s soil,
At the gates of the city of God

2. For the city is blessed now with unity
All restored in its beauty and calm
Here the tribes of the Lord, in their thousands have come,
To give thanks unto Israel’s God

Second Reading from St. Paul to the Romans

The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life, it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. We shall all have to stand before the judgement seat of God; as Scripture says:- By my life, it is the Lord who speaks, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall praise God. It is to God, therefore, that each of us must give an account of himself.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia
Eternal rest, give unto them O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Alleluia.

At the end of Mass please stand for the last farewell.

R./ Receive his/her soul,
And present him/her to God the most high.

1. Saints of God, come to his/her aid!
hasten to meet him/her, angels of the Lord.

2. May Christ, who called you, take you to himself;
may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham.

3. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

Recessional Hymn No. 404

1. O Lord, my God,
when I in awesome wonder,

consider all the worlds
Thy hand has made,
I see the stars,
I hear the rolling thunder,
thy pow’r throughout
the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul,
my Saviour God, to thee:
how great thou art
how great thou art (2)

3. When Christ shall come
with shout of acclamation
and take me home,
what joy shall fill my heart;
when I shall bow
in humble adoration,
and there proclaim;
my God, how great thou art.

If you are following the funeral cortege by car
please drive with dipped headlights

Archdiocese of Glasgow

Parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Dennistoun