John 11:25-26
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Whoever believes in me, even though he has died, he shall live. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
Funeral Rite
In the funeral rites the Church celebrates the Paschal mystery of Christ. Those who in Baptism have become one with the dead and risen Christ, at the end of their sacramental life, will pass with him from death to life, to be purified in soul and welcomed into the fellowship of the saints in heaven. They look forward in blessed hope to his second coming and the bodily resurrection of the dead.
The Church therefore celebrates the Eucharistic sacrifice of Christ’s Passover for the dead, and offers prayers and petitions for them. In the communion of all Christ’s members, the prayers which bring spiritual help to some may bring to others a consoling hope. In celebrating the funeral rites of their brothers and sisters, Christians proclaim their Paschal faith in fidelity to the Gospel and offer in the Funeral Mass the sacrifice of the death and resurrection of Christ so that the dead may be purified of their sins and admitted to the Paschal fullness of the Kingdom.
A funeral service is an important way of marking the end of a human life on earth, in which we give thanks to God for the person who has died, commend them to God’s love and safe keeping and pray for those who mourn.
Arrangement For Funeral Mass/Service
The loss of a loved one can be very painful. As a church we are well aware of this. The Priest and our parish volunteers are available to give their time to listen and to be with those who are bereaved. There is a very clear framework for funerals, that is why proper arrangements are made for the proper celebration of the rite. In it, the family is given the opportunity to choose readings, hymns and prayers in consultation with the parish priest, so as to ensure that the person who has died is remembered appropriately.
We are sensitive to the needs of those who have lost children or whose loved ones have died in distressing circumstances. If the person who has died was a regular communicant, it is sometimes appropriate to celebrate a Funeral Mass (or service either at the funeral Palace or at the Crematorium), which helps us to focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection for us and affirms our unity with all who have died in Christ.
We respect the decision of the family and accommodate their feelings in respect to whatever will give dignity to the celebration. Eulogies are allowed as long as they are done according to the Diocesan guidelines.
The first thing to do in the preparation is to contact the funeral directors, then your Parish Priest. Then, download and fill the “Funeral Arrangement Form” although you can get a hard copy from the Parish. Follow the guidance given by the Priest or the Church volunteers who assist the family in the preparation. Never forget to contact the Parish priest anytime, if need be. You can contact Fr Jude here or phone the Chapel House Tel. 01418892602