Funeral information

Funerals

When a member of the parish dies, the funeral rites are celebrated for the deceased. Normally, a Catholic Funeral has three parts. First, the Vigil Service, sometimes called the Wake Service, which takes place at the funeral home. Second, the Funeral Mass, which takes place at the church. Third, the Committal Service, which takes place at the graveside. Arrangements for a funeral are usually made through a local funeral director who contacts the parish to arrange dates and times for the Catholic funeral rites. For more information about funerals or to seek information about special situations, please contact the parish office at 201-261-0148.

“I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me will live forever.” (John 11:25)

Funeral Liturgy Preparation

“At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.” (Order of Christian Funerals, no. 4) United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

As Roman Catholics, the Mass is the highest and most perfect prayer that we as humans can offer to God. Celebration of the Funeral Mass commemorates Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection and our belief in the Resurrection and eternal life. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints we believe that death is a transition, not an end. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead. We believe that by dying, He destroyed our death and that by rising, He restored our life. We are participants in the Resurrection, not spectators. This participation began with our Baptism and will continue through the transition of death. As members of the Catholic Faith, we believe in the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, which we recited in the Nicene Creed at Mass every Sunday.

Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones. May the passage of time and the hand of the Lord soothe your grief, and may you find comfort in the hope of the Resurrection. The parish family of St. Joseph extends its deepest sympathy.

The following link may be helpful: https://www.rcancem.org/continuing-the-journey-preparing-a-catholic-funeral/

Funeral Readings Selection Form

The form below may help you record which readings you would like included in the Mass. Scripture options are below the form; feel free to download and print.

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Name of Deceased *

First

Last

Date of Funeral

Date

Time

Name of Person Submitting *

First

Last

Email *

Phone

I have readers for the Mass.

• Yes
• No, please provide readers

Name of Old Testament reader

Name of New Testament reader

Readings – Old Testament2 Maccabees 12:43-46Daniel 12: 1-3Ecclesiastes 3:1-8Ecclesiastes 3:1-15Ezekiel 37:12-14Isaiah 25: 6,7-9Isaiah 26,:7-19Isaiah 40:1-11Isaiah 35: 1-10Lamentations 3:17-26Micah 7:7-9Job 19Wisdom 3:1-6, 9Wisdom 3:1-9Wisdom 4:7-14Sirach 2:1-11Other

Readings – New TestamentActs 10:34-36, 42-43Acts 10:34-43Romans 5:5-11Romans 5:17-21Romans 6:3-4, 8-9Romans 6:3-9Romans 8:1-11Romans 8:14-23Romans 8:31-35, 37-39Romans 14:7-9, 10-121 Corinthians 2:6-101 Corinthians 15:12-201 Corinthians 15:20-281 Corinthians 15:51-572 Corinthians 4::14-5:12 Corinthians: 5:1, 6-10Philippians 3:7-14Philippians 3:20-211 Thessalonians 4:13-182 Timothy 2:8-132 Timothy 4:1-2, 6-81 John 3:1-21 John 3:14-15Revelation 14:13Revelation 20:11-21:1Revelation 21:1-5, 6-7Other

Other Readings (if not listed above)

Names of Giftbearers

Any additional comments or questions? Also, please indicate if Words of Remembrance are planned, and if so, provide the speaker's name.

Submit

Scripture Options – Suggested Funeral Readings

Old Testament

New Testament

Music Options – Suggested Hymns

Abridged excerpt from the ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK’s Guidelines for Words of Remembrance

To the family member or friend who will be delivering Words of Remembrance at a funeral liturgy:
The family has entrusted you with a sacred task in asking you to “speak in remembrance” of the departed on their behalf. Only one person may deliver the Words of Remembrance at the funeral liturgy, and you will be called forward by name by the celebrant after the prayer after communion. To “speak in remembrance” at a funeral liturgy means to offering a brief reflection on the life of the deceased in the context of his or her life of faith. These liturgical Words of Remembrance are not the same as the secular understanding of a “eulogy,” which is a reminiscing and toasting of the departed. In preparing Words of Remembrance, it might be helpful to reflect on the qualities of the deceased that made him or her a good person. A brief story or example could help to illustrate a particular point. The spoken Words of Remembrance should be 3-4 minutes in length (approx. a single typed page), but note that lengthier and more personal memories can be shared at the wake or repast.