"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him." - Romans 6: 3-9
To suffer a loss is life changing. The Church mourns with you, and welcomes you with compassion in this time of pain. At a Catholic funeral service we gather to give thanks to God for Christ's victory over death, and to give thanks for the life of the deceased. Those preparing for a funeral often have questions. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about this ministry.
Do you have Any information on Catholic Estate Planning?
Our Archdiocese has several resources on estate planning, including a free to download estate planning guide. Click here to access our Archdiocese's estate planning resources.
Who Should Be Contacted Upon the Death of a Loved one?
When a loved one passes, please contact the Funeral Home first and the Church second. The Funeral Home will work together with our Pastor to organize the details of the service. We ask for as much notice as possible, and will do our best to accommodate requested dates with respect to what is happening in the life of our church and school.
I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM THE CHURCH. CAN WE STILL HAVE A FUNERAL OF A LOVED ONE IN YOUR CHURCH?
Regardless of whether you or the deceased were close to or distanced from the Church, a funeral can be celebrated in our Church provided the deceased was not living a lifestyle opposed to Church teachings.
A Loved One Has Died by Suicide. Is a Catholic Funeral Permitted?
If a loved one has died by suicide, they are permitted to have a Catholic funeral. The Church grieves with you, and welcomes you with compassion at this time of deep pain. There are several prayers that can be included during the funeral for both the deceased and those who grieve
them. If you, or someone you love is grieving the loss of a friend or family member to suicide, Crisis Services Canada is available to help you through this difficult time.
them. If you, or someone you love is grieving the loss of a friend or family member to suicide, Crisis Services Canada is available to help you through this difficult time.
Is Cremation Permitted?
The practice of cremation is accepted by the Church, unless it was chosen for reasons opposed to Church teachings. The Church encourages the body be present in the church for the funeral, with the cremation taking place after the service and the remains then interred. When cremation
does take place before the funeral, the cremated remains should be present at the funeral where they are treated with the same reverence as the body. The Church requires the cremated remains be laid to rest in a sacred place which has been set aside for this purpose. They should not be scattered, kept indefinitely in the home or preserved in mementos, jewelry, or other objects. For more information about Catholic teachings on cremation, click here.
does take place before the funeral, the cremated remains should be present at the funeral where they are treated with the same reverence as the body. The Church requires the cremated remains be laid to rest in a sacred place which has been set aside for this purpose. They should not be scattered, kept indefinitely in the home or preserved in mementos, jewelry, or other objects. For more information about Catholic teachings on cremation, click here.
What Makes up The Traditional Catholic Funeral Rite?
A Catholic funeral is traditionally made up of three parts; the Vigil for the Deceased, the Funeral Mass (or Funeral Liturgy), and the Rite of Committal.
The Vigil for the Deceased: This prayer service may be held in either the funeral home or the church, and is held before the funeral. This is a time for family and friends to gather, remember and mourn the deceased through stories, song, and prayer. The vigil may be led by lay people or
ordained ministers.
The Funeral Mass: During the Mass, we gather as a community to celebrate the life of the deceased as well as Christ’s victory over death. The celebration of the Mass involves the Liturgies of the Word and of the Eucharist, and can only be held in the church. A funeral Mass cannot take
place at the funeral home. If there is no Mass, the celebration is referred to as a funeral service. A funeral service may take place in the church or at the funeral home, and may be led by lay people or ordained ministers.
The Rite of Committal: The Rite of Committal is a set of prayers that take place at the interment site following the funeral. These prayers commit the body or cremated remains to their resting place. The Rite of Committal may be led by lay people or ordained ministers.
The Vigil for the Deceased: This prayer service may be held in either the funeral home or the church, and is held before the funeral. This is a time for family and friends to gather, remember and mourn the deceased through stories, song, and prayer. The vigil may be led by lay people or
ordained ministers.
The Funeral Mass: During the Mass, we gather as a community to celebrate the life of the deceased as well as Christ’s victory over death. The celebration of the Mass involves the Liturgies of the Word and of the Eucharist, and can only be held in the church. A funeral Mass cannot take
place at the funeral home. If there is no Mass, the celebration is referred to as a funeral service. A funeral service may take place in the church or at the funeral home, and may be led by lay people or ordained ministers.
The Rite of Committal: The Rite of Committal is a set of prayers that take place at the interment site following the funeral. These prayers commit the body or cremated remains to their resting place. The Rite of Committal may be led by lay people or ordained ministers.
Is a Eulogy Permitted During a Funeral Mass?
While a funeral mass is a time to honour and remember the deceased, it is also a celebration of Christ's Death and Resurrection. This is why a eulogy, a speech solely praising someone who has died, is not permitted during the funeral mass itself. A eulogy may be delivered at the vigil, before the funeral mass begins, or at the interment. We ask that the eulogy be kept under five minutes in length. These options will be discussed with our Pastor during the planning process.
What are the Fees Associated with Funerals?
In keeping with Archdiocesan policy, the offering for funerals in our church is $300.00. Those without means are not obligated to pay the full amount. The priest is paid out of the $300.00 amount that is given to the church. There is no additional cost for using the parish hall for a reception following the service. You may choose to give a free will offering to the musicians serving at the funeral and our Ladies' Group if they have provided a tea and coffee service for the reception.
CAN WE USE THE PARISH HALL FOR A RECEPTION FOLLOWING THE FUNERAL?
Provided it fits within the schedule of our parish school, the parish hall can be booked for a reception following the service. There is no additional cost for using the parish hall for a reception following the service. Our parish hall seats fewer than 100 people comfortably. The hall is only accessible via stairs.
HOW ARE READINGS, PRAYERS, MUSIC, ETC. CHOSEN?
Families work with our Pastor to choose the readings, prayers, and music that will be used during the funeral. It is important to remember that funeral rites are a community celebration. They serve as an important reminder to the whole community of our belief in Jesus'
Resurrection. This is why secular poems, readings or songs are not part of a Catholic funeral mass.
Resurrection. This is why secular poems, readings or songs are not part of a Catholic funeral mass.
Should Children Participate in the Funeral Rite?
As long as the child and parents or guardians are comfortable, it is a good idea to include them in the rites. This is a safe place and time for them share their thoughts and feelings about what they have experienced.
IS INCENSE USED DURING THE FUNERAL?
The use of incense during the funeral is usual, but optional. The priest uses incense over the body or cremated remains during the purification ritual. If you do not want incense used during the funeral, please inform our Pastor of this request during the funeral planning process.
Are Flowers Permitted?
Flowers are permitted anywhere in the church as long as they are not on the altar or taller than the altar (no taller than 1 meter in height). We ask that flowers be dropped off during parish office hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.).