Preparing For A Funeral
When a death occurs, it is a traumatic time for the bereaved. As well as contacting the relatives, the family doctor and the funeral director, it is also important to contact one of the priests as quickly as possible. It is a central theme of the priest’s pastoral ministry at the time of death to lead the bereaved in prayer and to console them. Please do not make firm arrangements for the funeral before discussing them with a priest of the Parish.
Please contact the Parish Priest on Tel: 028 9037 0845
To help families plan and prepare for the funeral Mass or funeral service in the Loughshore Parishes, a resource booklet is available to help families reflect on the funeral liturgies. It can be used to support you in thinking and preparing for your own funeral and it can be an aid for prayer and preparation of a funeral following the death of a loved one. Let us take comfort in these prayers and in the certain hope that for the Lord’s faithful, in death, life is changed not ended.
Resource booklet:
A Family Guide to Planning and Celebrating a Funeral in the Catholic Church
Appropriate Readings from Scripture, Prayers of the Faithful and information on music for the ceremony is also available to download here (see below).
Step 1: FUNERAL READINGS
One First reading should be chosen from the first section of the booklet.
One Responsorial Psalm should be chosen. If there is a singer, the Psalm should be sung. You should speak to the person providing music about this.
One Second Reading should be chosen from the third section of the booklet.
Step 2: PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
A selection of prayers is provided in the document below. Normally 4 or 5 prayers re chosen. Family or friends who feel up to it and are able can read these prayers. One person, or a few people, can read these.
Step 3: GIFTS OF BREAD & WINE
Two, three or four people can bring forward the gifts of bread and wine that are going to be transformed into the Body & Blood of Christ during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Step 4: MUSIC
Many families wish to have music during the funeral Mass or service. Music played in the church should be RELIGIOUS MUSIC ONLY reflecting the sacredness of the building. If you wish to have a ‘favourite song’ played during the funeral rites, it could be played in the home before the coffin leaves for the church – this is often more practical and personal. If there is a cremation, a ‘favourite song’ can be played at the crematorium. Below is a list of some liturgical musicians who regularly sing in churches. this is only for guidance and you are not bound by this list. You should contact the musician yourself and discuss their musical repertoire and expenses.
Funeral Masses can be recorded when requested in advance by the family. To request this, please contact the Parish Office on 02890370845 or email loughshore@downandconnor.org
Download: