Funerals
The St. Francis Parish community extends our deepest sympathy to you at this time of loss. At one time or another, most of us are confronted with the death of someone close. Regardless of the relationship, it is natural to experience a sense of loss and to feel pain. We are here to support you and help you through this difficult time.
In most cases, you will first visit the funeral home of your choice. The funeral director will call St. Francis to secure the funeral date and time. We will then contact you to arrange a time to meet and plan the liturgy.
In most cases, you will first visit the funeral home of your choice. The funeral director will call St. Francis to secure the funeral date and time. We will then contact you to arrange a time to meet and plan the liturgy.
Christian Burial Rites (Archdiocese of Chicago - Catholic Cemeteries)
The Vigil (Wake service), the Funeral Liturgy (Mass), and the Committal (Burial/Entombment) each have distinct purposes in the journey to healing and wholeness. The Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy and the Committal set us on a path to healing, wholeness and peace.
Vigil for the Deceased (Wake)
The Vigil (Wake Service) is truly a time to laugh, cry, remember and pray. A time to rejoice in all that the person was and is. This can truly be a healing time for all those who are hurting.
The Vigil for the Deceased is the first way that the Church captures the sentiments of those who are grieving and sets them in the context of our faith. A prayer service with readings selected from Scripture to fit the circumstances of the deceased, a homily that comforts and gives hope, intercessions that speak to the faith of those gathered around the deceased, and prayers selected from the rich resources found in the Order of Christian Funeral can do a great deal to prepare people to enter into the Christian spirit of the Funeral Liturgy. The Rosary or other prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be part of the Vigil.
Funeral Liturgy (Mass)
The Funeral Liturgy (Mass) is our great "Thank You" to God who created us, died for us, and who is calling each of us back to Himself. In this step the focus shifts slightly from emphasis on the deceased to God's saving works through Jesus Christ. The Mass, particularly at the time of death, is a truly special moment, a holy moment, a God-moment.
Celebrating the funeral liturgy at Mass in the parish church is the normal way in which most Catholics experience the Order of Christian Funerals. The Eucharist looks forward to our participation in the heavenly banquet, where we are united with Jesus, the saints, and all those who share eternal life. Jesus said, "whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live forever." (John 6:54) The Eucharist is truly the central point in a Catholic funeral. Its effectiveness is greatly enhanced when the family participates in appropriate ways: clothing the casket with the pall, selecting the Scripture readings, serving as lectors or extraordinary ministers, singing the responses and the hymns and, most especially, receiving Holy Communion.
Rite of Committal (Cemetery)
The last step - the last concrete act we can do for our loved ones in this world - is the Committal, the burial or entombment of the remains of the deceased. The relationships, bonds and "communion" we build with one another in faith are not broken by death. Resting in a holy place with our brothers and sisters is a profound statement of that belief. The Rite of Committal is the final liturgy in the Order of Christian Funerals. Like the Vigil Service, the Rite of Committal makes use of Scripture, a few words of hope by the presider, intercessions and prayers. A Catholic cemetery is a sacred place of honor and respect for those who have died. It is a memorial to all who are interred there. It is a sacred place where Catholics come to express their grief and hope in the resurrection for their loved ones who have preceded them in death. It is blessed ground, fitting for someone whose body was a temple of the Holy Spirit on earth and now awaits the resurrection from the dead.
Vigil for the Deceased (Wake)
The Vigil (Wake Service) is truly a time to laugh, cry, remember and pray. A time to rejoice in all that the person was and is. This can truly be a healing time for all those who are hurting.
The Vigil for the Deceased is the first way that the Church captures the sentiments of those who are grieving and sets them in the context of our faith. A prayer service with readings selected from Scripture to fit the circumstances of the deceased, a homily that comforts and gives hope, intercessions that speak to the faith of those gathered around the deceased, and prayers selected from the rich resources found in the Order of Christian Funeral can do a great deal to prepare people to enter into the Christian spirit of the Funeral Liturgy. The Rosary or other prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be part of the Vigil.
Funeral Liturgy (Mass)
The Funeral Liturgy (Mass) is our great "Thank You" to God who created us, died for us, and who is calling each of us back to Himself. In this step the focus shifts slightly from emphasis on the deceased to God's saving works through Jesus Christ. The Mass, particularly at the time of death, is a truly special moment, a holy moment, a God-moment.
Celebrating the funeral liturgy at Mass in the parish church is the normal way in which most Catholics experience the Order of Christian Funerals. The Eucharist looks forward to our participation in the heavenly banquet, where we are united with Jesus, the saints, and all those who share eternal life. Jesus said, "whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live forever." (John 6:54) The Eucharist is truly the central point in a Catholic funeral. Its effectiveness is greatly enhanced when the family participates in appropriate ways: clothing the casket with the pall, selecting the Scripture readings, serving as lectors or extraordinary ministers, singing the responses and the hymns and, most especially, receiving Holy Communion.
Rite of Committal (Cemetery)
The last step - the last concrete act we can do for our loved ones in this world - is the Committal, the burial or entombment of the remains of the deceased. The relationships, bonds and "communion" we build with one another in faith are not broken by death. Resting in a holy place with our brothers and sisters is a profound statement of that belief. The Rite of Committal is the final liturgy in the Order of Christian Funerals. Like the Vigil Service, the Rite of Committal makes use of Scripture, a few words of hope by the presider, intercessions and prayers. A Catholic cemetery is a sacred place of honor and respect for those who have died. It is a memorial to all who are interred there. It is a sacred place where Catholics come to express their grief and hope in the resurrection for their loved ones who have preceded them in death. It is blessed ground, fitting for someone whose body was a temple of the Holy Spirit on earth and now awaits the resurrection from the dead.
Planning a Funeral Mass
Scripture Selections: Once you have read the Scripture passages, you will need to select a First Reading from the Old Testament, and a Second Reading. The Presiding Celebrant will select and read the Gospel Reading. You may also select two people to proclaim the readings at the liturgy.
Liturgical Concerns: A parish vocalist/cantor will be provided to sing at the liturgy. Music selections may be selected from our parish funeral hymnal, Blest Are Those Who Mourn, which will be provided to you. Only hymns and songs appropriate to the structure of the liturgy will be considered. Secular pieces, even if they are the request of the decedent, may be best suited to the wake service. Final approval of all songs is to be determined by the Director of Music.
Placement of the Pall: The Pall (white cloth reminiscent of Baptism) may be placed on the casket by family members if you so choose. Please notify us if this is your desire.
General Intercessions: Samples will be provided that may be used or adapted to your circumstances. A reader may present these petitions.
Eulogies: The practice of eulogizing the decedent should take place outside the liturgy. Often, it undermines the homily, and puts the emphasis on personal grief. It is suggested that this be done at the wake service, or prior to the liturgy on the morning of the funeral.
Memorial Services: In the event of a parish Memorial Service, St. Francis of Assisi Parish will adhere to the same protocol. Memorial displays (collages, etc.) will be placed in the narthex at the entrance to church. Pictures or other displays may not be placed on the altar.
Cremation: If the decedent is to be cremated, following the funeral liturgy, St. Francis of Assisi will adhere to the same protocol. If the decedent is cremated prior to the liturgy, Mass can be celebrated (with the reminas present) provided they are placed on a table in front of the church, but not on the altar. Provisions must be made for the interment of the remains. Interment is a requirement of the Church, and Completes the Rite of Burial.
Liturgical Concerns: A parish vocalist/cantor will be provided to sing at the liturgy. Music selections may be selected from our parish funeral hymnal, Blest Are Those Who Mourn, which will be provided to you. Only hymns and songs appropriate to the structure of the liturgy will be considered. Secular pieces, even if they are the request of the decedent, may be best suited to the wake service. Final approval of all songs is to be determined by the Director of Music.
Placement of the Pall: The Pall (white cloth reminiscent of Baptism) may be placed on the casket by family members if you so choose. Please notify us if this is your desire.
General Intercessions: Samples will be provided that may be used or adapted to your circumstances. A reader may present these petitions.
Eulogies: The practice of eulogizing the decedent should take place outside the liturgy. Often, it undermines the homily, and puts the emphasis on personal grief. It is suggested that this be done at the wake service, or prior to the liturgy on the morning of the funeral.
Memorial Services: In the event of a parish Memorial Service, St. Francis of Assisi Parish will adhere to the same protocol. Memorial displays (collages, etc.) will be placed in the narthex at the entrance to church. Pictures or other displays may not be placed on the altar.
Cremation: If the decedent is to be cremated, following the funeral liturgy, St. Francis of Assisi will adhere to the same protocol. If the decedent is cremated prior to the liturgy, Mass can be celebrated (with the reminas present) provided they are placed on a table in front of the church, but not on the altar. Provisions must be made for the interment of the remains. Interment is a requirement of the Church, and Completes the Rite of Burial.
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart:
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yolk is easy, and my burden light."
(Mt 11:28-30)
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart:
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yolk is easy, and my burden light."
(Mt 11:28-30)