Liturgy and Worship
Funerals
Remembrance, consolation, and hope.
One of life's most difficult experiences is the loss of a loved one, and the circumstances surrounding that loved one's passing can often compound the pain and frustration. The funeral liturgy welcomes all who mourn to gather in solidarity; to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased; to acknowledge the reality of death as a part of the human experience; and, most importantly, to place our hope in the eternal life awaiting each of us through the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
The Funeral Rites
In the Catholic Christian tradition, the rites for remembrance of the dead generally involve three stages: the Vigil for the Deceased; the Funeral Liturgy; and Rite of Committal.
VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED
Before the funeral liturgy is celebrated, a Vigil (also referred to as a wake or visitation) is often held at a funeral home, or at the home of the deceased. A formal ritual of prayer and scripture may be included; the casket may be opened so that mourners may view the body and pay their respects; and those who gather console one another as they turn to the Word of God for strength and comfort.
THE FUNERAL LITURGY
The principal liturgical celebration for the deceased is the funeral liturgy, which may be celebrated within or outside of the context of Mass. The church opens its doors to all who mourn, no matter where each may be in their grieving, into the Presence of Christ. Through the proclamation of the Word, the gift of the Eucharist, the servant leadership of ministers, and the prayerful participation of the whole assembly, the love of Christ, who conquered death in his Resurrection, is made known to us all. Consoled by his steadfast love, we entrust the soul of our deceased into God's eternal care.
THE RITE OF COMMITTAL
Those who mourn perform one final act of care in prayerfully committing the remains of the deceased to its final resting place.
Planning a Funeral Liturgy
Once the family or funeral home has notified the Parish Office of the passing of the deceased, the dates and times of the Funeral Rites are arranged. The parish staff meets with the family and/or those charged with the preparations for the funeral liturgy to discern the scriptural, musical, and other ritual choices, and to share memories and stories of the life we will gather to remember.
At St. Noel, we offer a planning guide to assist in making these important decisions. We will prepare a worship aid containing all the sung and spoken acclamations for the funeral, so that all who gather have every opportunity to take an active part in the liturgy. Most of all, we will hold the family and all those who mourn in our prayerful and diligent care.
Pre-Planning
We are always willing to assist our parishioners in planning their funeral liturgies in advance. For more information, please call the Parish Office.
Bereavement Ministry
Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.All Souls Memorial Mass
For more than a millennium, the Church has memorialized all the faithful departed on November 2, All Souls Day. At St. Noel, we invite all those who have lost a loved one in the past year to gather for a memorial Mass, followed by a video tribute to all those we remember.
