Q&A about Funeral Masses

Why Should I have a Funeral Mass for my loved one? 

The Mass of Christian burial is the privileged time when we pray for our beloved dead, asking God to forgive his or her sins and to render a merciful judgment to our brother or sister who has gone before us marked with the sign of faith. it is through the Passion, Death and Resurrections of Jesus Christ that sin and death have been definitively destroyed and that we who have been united to this redemptive mystery through faith and baptism have been given the hope of eternal glory in heaven. The saving effects of Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection are made present at each Mass. At the Funeral Mass we implore God to apply those saving effects for the soul of the deceased. 

Whay if my loved one hadn't been attending Mass regularly, isn't it hypocritical to have a Funeral Mass now? 

No. At baptism we become members of the Church and the adopted children of God. God never forgets us or stops loving us. Our souls are indelibly marked for God. None of us responds fully to God's love in our life. None of us gets to Heaven on our own merits. We all need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Like St. Martha who, even after her brother Lazarus had died, tuned to Jesus and trusted in Him, we turn to Jesus at the Funral Mass our of faith in Him and love for our deceased. 

What if I'm not Catholic? 

At a time of loss, we all need a reminder of God's love, a love that is stronger than death. But the Funeral Mass is first about thethe spiritual good for the person who has died. We thank you for considering that and we welcome you to the Church for the Funeral Mass. The priest will understand if you are not familiar with the Mass. He will be happy to answer your questions. Your funeral directore will be present and will prompt you when to stand, sit and the like. Although non-Catholics cannot join us in the Holy Communion, your presence to us and joining us in prayer is a privilege for us and a powerful appeal to God for the good of the deceased. 
 

What if there may not be many people in attendance? 

Frequently, elderly people outlive their contemporaries and surviving friends may no longer be able to get out to the Church. The essential point is that God is present at the Mass and He comes to reassure us. 
 

Cost is a factor for us, what is the offering for a Funeral Mass and can it be waived in case of hardship? 

No one will be denied the baptismal right to Chrisitan burial dure to lack of finances. The offering for a Funeral Mass is $300 ($100 goes to the organist, $100 to the singer; $65 to the parish and $35 to the priest). In case of hardship, the Fr. Miguel can waive the offering.
 

What if we are making arrangements for cremation, does that prevent a Funeral Mass? 

No. While the preference is that cremation takes place after a Funeral Mass, if the cremation takes place beforehand, the ashes may be brought into the Church for the Funeral Mass before they are interred at a cemetery. In any event, because of our belief in the dignity of the human body and its future resurrection, ashes should not be scattered but should be interred promplty in a grave or crypt at a cemetery. Is is sad and a lacking in the respect due to our loved ones when, as is happinging more and more, created remains are abandoned in funeral homes or crematory basements or brought home instead of being reverently interred in consecrated ground or in a blessed crypt. 

What if I want to have a Funeral Mass at a parish that wasn't the one my loved one attended?

Normally, a Funeral Mass would be celebrated at the deceased's parish church and amidst the community that the deceased was part of. However, there certainly are legitimate reasons why another parish might be appropiate. Your funeral director can speak to the pastor about this. 

 

What if I want some special music, poetry and personal remembrances?