As I write this pastor's column, I am planning and preparing to celebrate three funeral Masses in succeeding days. In so doing I realize, once again, how valuable and helpful it is for our parishioners to make decisions about their wishes about what they want to happen after they die, to their family members; and if they want -- to us here at the church.
Now that cremation is allowed (though not promoted) by the Church, one of the first decisions is whether to have one's body in a casket at the funeral followed by burial or interment in a mausoleum (traditional), OR one's body at the funeral in a rented casket and then cremation, and interment of urn in the ground or a columbarium. (This option is the one preferred and promoted by the Church if cremation is to happen). The third option is to have a funeral Mass, with or without the cremated remains being present for the Mass.
There are some situations where family members are already here before their loved one dies. Given the reality that it may be more than a few days before the cremated remains are ready for the funeral Mass, the family can choose to have a Memorial Mass for their loved one (including the prayers and readings from a funeral Mass) and then - when the cremated remains are ready, family members who are still here and friends who are invited, can gather for the service of interment at the cemetery columbarium.
I can attest that it is a tremendous blessing for the surviving spouse and/or children if their deceased loved one has made decisions and choices before they died and so relieve the family of doing this at a time of stress and grief.
You can call me at 209-2502 or Deacon John at 226-9035 if you want assistance in any or all of the deisions you can make in advance of your death. Please also note that more and more people are choosing to have the rosary prayed thirty minutes before the funeral Mass instead of gathering to do this at a Vigil Service the night before a funeral. If this concern is not brought up or decided ahead of the person's death, I will offer it as an option to the family of the deceased.
Now that cremation is allowed (though not promoted) by the Church, one of the first decisions is whether to have one's body in a casket at the funeral followed by burial or interment in a mausoleum (traditional), OR one's body at the funeral in a rented casket and then cremation, and interment of urn in the ground or a columbarium. (This option is the one preferred and promoted by the Church if cremation is to happen). The third option is to have a funeral Mass, with or without the cremated remains being present for the Mass.
There are some situations where family members are already here before their loved one dies. Given the reality that it may be more than a few days before the cremated remains are ready for the funeral Mass, the family can choose to have a Memorial Mass for their loved one (including the prayers and readings from a funeral Mass) and then - when the cremated remains are ready, family members who are still here and friends who are invited, can gather for the service of interment at the cemetery columbarium.
I can attest that it is a tremendous blessing for the surviving spouse and/or children if their deceased loved one has made decisions and choices before they died and so relieve the family of doing this at a time of stress and grief.
You can call me at 209-2502 or Deacon John at 226-9035 if you want assistance in any or all of the deisions you can make in advance of your death. Please also note that more and more people are choosing to have the rosary prayed thirty minutes before the funeral Mass instead of gathering to do this at a Vigil Service the night before a funeral. If this concern is not brought up or decided ahead of the person's death, I will offer it as an option to the family of the deceased.