lf we die with Christ, we shall live with Him, and if we are faithful to the end, we shall reign with Him.

_2 Tim. 2:11-12
Dear Friends who have lost a loved one:

We extend our sympathy and prayers to you and your deceased loved ones. His or her name will be mentioned in the Prayer of the Faithful at all the weekend Masses. We invite you to join us at Mass as we pray for your loved one. We offer the following guidelines to assist you in preparing for the Funeral Liturgy.

The Priests, Deacons and Staff of St. Kilian Parish


There are three components to the Catholic funeral Liturgy, properly called the Rite of Christian Burial.
 

1. The Wake Service
The wake is usually provided on the evening before the Funeral Mass with a priest or deacon presiding at the prayers.

2. The Funeral Mass

The Funeral Mass is the centerpiece of the Catholic Funeral Liturqy. The Mass is offered in order to help the departed in their final journey to the Lord. "From the beginning the Church has offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic Sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God." The arrangement for the time of the Mass is done through the Funeral Director. The Mass is celebrated by one of the priests of the parish, often assisted by a deacon. We are unable to guarantee that any particular priest will be the celebrant.

Priest relatives or friends are always welcome to celebrate the liturgies. If this is the case, the Funeral Director will inform the parish. It the role of the parish to minister to you in your needs; however should you desire to take a more active role in the Mass by bringing up the bread and wine or doing one of the readings, please inform the Consolation Person.

3. The Interment Service

When the parish schedule permits, the priest or deacon will conduct the cemetery service at the local cemeteries, although this may be done by anyone. The Catholic cemeteries have clergy present to provide the interment prayers. Your Funeral Director will arrange for this service.

Receiving Holy Communion at a Funeral Mass
We are able to invite only Catholics who are properly prepared and disposed to receive Holy Communion. We are properly disposed when we are in the state of grace and have made a sacramental confession when necessary.
Those needing confession should call the rectory for an appointment to see one of the priests.

Music at the Funeral Mass
The parish provides the services of a professional organist and singer who are on parish staff. They will provide and plan the music appropriate for the funeral Mass. However, the family may choose two of the hymns to be sung during the Mass. These hymns must be religious in nature and in harmony with the Catholic Liturgy. Secular music is not permitted. The two hymns may be selected from the worship aid provided by the Ministry of Consolation.

Eulogy for the Deceased
The priest's or deacon's homily after the Gospel is directed to the mystery of life and death and our beliefs about the life to come. His words center on the Paschal Mystery of Christ and our incorporation into that mystery through faith. A brief and more personal reflection on the deceased person (eulogy), if desired, should be given after the Wake Service or at the cemetery. The reflection should include reference to the deceased as a person of faith.

Readings at the Mass
Catholic family members or another Catholic may choose one of the Scripture readings to be proclaimed at the Mass. The selection of readings is available through the Ministry of Consolation.

The Ministry of Consolation
Volunteers from St. Kilian Parish will be present to help you through this difficult time. They will offer you any guidance that may be needed during this process. In a parish as large as St. Kilian, it is our desire that you receive the individual care you need and to know that the parish is sharing your grief. They will be present during the Funeral Mass to assist you to participate.

The Church Offering
The customary church offering for the Funeral services will be indicated by the funeral director. In circumstances where the family is genuinely unable to give the customary offering, it is waived. The organist and singer fees are separate.

Extraordinary Circumstances
When the family chooses only a Burial Service (without a Mass) in the Funeral Home, the priest or deacon will conduct a prayer service only. We recommend that you arrange to have a Mass offered for your loved one.

Cremation
The Church prefers burial because of our relationship with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus and our belief in the resurrection of the dead. However, the Church permits cremation for legitimate reasons. The clergy will not accompany the family to the crematory. Should Mass follow the cremation, the remains may be brought into the church for the Mass.

Masses for the Deceased
It is our custom as Catholics to offer prayers and sacrifices for our deceased loved ones. We are able to help them in their final journey to God with our prayers and sacrifices. It is a good thing to arrange for Masses to be offered for your loved ones on a birthday, anniversary or any date. This may be done at any church.
 

We would have to be clear about those who sleep in death; otherwise you might yield to grief, like those who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, God will bring forth with him from the dead those also who have fallen asleep believing in Him... Thenceforth we shall be with the Lord unceasingly. Console one another with this message.

I Thes. 4:13-18