We hope the following information will assist you during this time of mourning and guide those preparing to celebrate a funeral liturgy in honor of their loved ones. As Catholics, we celebrate the funeral in the sacred space of our church to honor and commend our loved one to the Lord, trusting in His promise to prepare a place for us in heaven.

Celebrating the Life of the Deceased

Saint Kateri Parish embraces the opportunity for any individual to receive the liturgical blessings of a Catholic funeral at any of its four worship sites.

There are no registration or religious requirements for those seeking funeral services for their loved ones at Saint Kateri. Often, people feel that if someone was not a practicing Catholic, they are not allowed to have a funeral Mass or service. Our parish welcomes this opportunity to serve and share God’s message of loving mercy.

Music Within the Order of Christian Funerals

Music is integral to the funeral rites, allowing the community to express convictions and emotions that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console, uplift, and strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the Paschal Mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture. (OCF 30)

Music may be incorporated into the three rituals of Christian funerals:

• The Vigil, which may take place at the funeral home
• The Funeral/Memorial Mass, which takes place at the church
• The Place of Committal, the final act of the community, which takes place at the cemetery/interment

Personal, recorded, or secular music may be used at the funeral home or wake, during the closing of the coffin, or at the Place of Committal.

For Funeral/Memorial Masses, Saint Kateri Parish provides an organist, cantor, and/or the Resurrection Choir Ministry at each church site. Click on the Music link for song suggestions to assist in planning the Funeral/Memorial Mass.

Words of Remembrance

These are not required but are often desired. Respecting this time of personal grief, Saint Kateri Parish offers an opportunity at the funeral liturgy to share Words of Remembrance, limited to five minutes in duration. If family and friends wish to share more, we suggest doing so at the funeral home, perhaps at the close of calling hours, or at a gathering following the funeral and cemetery service.

Suggestions for Meaningful Words of Remembrance

• Pray about it.
• Your words should reflect the person’s life in light of Gospel values. How did they model Christian living? The funeral liturgy is a solemn occasion meant to foster peace. Certain personal stories may be better suited for other gatherings.
• Write it down. This allows time to organize thoughts, rehearse, and ensure proper timing. Seeking input from others may also be helpful.

What to Avoid

• Feeling obligated to speak if you are emotionally or otherwise unable to do so. If you are not comfortable, let the family know, you may be able to contribute in another way.
• Telling long or multiple short stories. Experience shows that these are best shared later in a more personal setting.
• Trying to summarize everything about the person’s life. Instead, choose one theme and focus on it.
• Using inside jokes that may not be understood by everyone or including inappropriate language.

When you arrive at the church on the day of the funeral, a parish minister will greet you. We will guide you through the details of where to sit, stand, and speak, and we will address any concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact our staff at any time throughout this funeral process. Let us share the compassion of Christ with the comfort of His Resurrection.

We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.
“We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.” — Romans 6:3-5

Funeral Guidelines for Funeral Homes and Families

• There will only be the Sacred Host; the cup will not be offered at Communion.
• Communion will only be given in the hand, not on the tongue.
• The Crying Room may be used.
• The church restroom will be open for use.
• Funeral planning will be limited to three family members.
• Funeral programs are not handled by the church.