As I follow-up to last weekend's pastor's column, I want to bring up another option you have when making choices for your funeral services. Before doing so, let me give you something else to think about with regard to having one's body present for the funeral even if you are choosing cremation. Having your body present gives those who are here AND especially those family and friends who are out of town or out of state the opportunity to truly grieve the loss of your physical presence from this world. Having an urn with your cremains in them, does not permit this for most, if not all family and friends.
As far as other choices you have with regard to the funeral liturgy, the Church does allow for remarks of remembrance at some point in our gathering together. While the liturgy may be the only time and place to do this (if there is no reception after the Mass). I encourage these "remembrances" of the deceased to be done at the reception after everyone has gotten their food and have had some time to eat it.
Something "extra" that, I believe is good and appropriate to do at a Mass of Resurrection is to have someone (even me) read a poem or composition like Marcie Margel had chosen before she died to be included at some point in the funeral liturgy. I found it so moving that I want to share it with you (see below). You may want to print it out and let us and your loved ones know that you want it or something else like it read at your funeral. It can say what you want your family to reflect upon in their time of grief (along with the words of faith and hope you have chosen in the readings and the songs of the Mass).
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,
The way you do each day,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me,
Please know I miss you too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an Angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.
The Angel said a place was ready,
In heaven up above;
And that I’d have to leave behind,
All those I truly love.
I had so much to live for,
So much yet to do;
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart;
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here in your heart.
As far as other choices you have with regard to the funeral liturgy, the Church does allow for remarks of remembrance at some point in our gathering together. While the liturgy may be the only time and place to do this (if there is no reception after the Mass). I encourage these "remembrances" of the deceased to be done at the reception after everyone has gotten their food and have had some time to eat it.
Something "extra" that, I believe is good and appropriate to do at a Mass of Resurrection is to have someone (even me) read a poem or composition like Marcie Margel had chosen before she died to be included at some point in the funeral liturgy. I found it so moving that I want to share it with you (see below). You may want to print it out and let us and your loved ones know that you want it or something else like it read at your funeral. It can say what you want your family to reflect upon in their time of grief (along with the words of faith and hope you have chosen in the readings and the songs of the Mass).
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,
The way you do each day,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me,
Please know I miss you too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an Angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.
The Angel said a place was ready,
In heaven up above;
And that I’d have to leave behind,
All those I truly love.
I had so much to live for,
So much yet to do;
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart;
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here in your heart.