Passing Over with Jesus: The Church's Funeral Rites

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action.  He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God.  He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was about to begin.  The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils.
— Luke 23:50-56

In Loving Remembrance

On behalf of the Parish Family of St. Mary, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies and prayerful reassurances to the family and friends of:

Directives for Catholic Funerals: Questions and Answers

• Who can be buried from the Church?
• Can those who have died as a result of suicide be buried from the Church?
• May someone who has not been able to attend Church for a few years because of living in a nursing home still be buried from a parish church?
• Why does the Church not sacramentally anoint bodies after death?
• At the time of death, whom do we call to set things in motion?
• What are the funeral rites?
• Are Catholics allowed to be cremated?
• What Scripture readings are allowed?
• Who can read the readings at the Funeral Mass?
• What music is allowed?
• Are priests the only ones who can lead the Scripture service or the Cemetery service?
• What do we do with the cremated remains after the funeral?
• Can we plan our funeral arrangements months or years in advance?
• What is the difference between a Funeral Mass and a Memorial Mass?
• Are Funeral Masses allowed in funeral homes?
• Why can’t we schedule the funeral in the parish when we want it?
• Are there some days were funerals are not allowed by the Church?
• Is there a fee to the church?
• Why are we encouraged to pray for the dead?