Funeral Liturgy

The Catholic funeral liturgy usually consists of three parts: the vigil (or wake) service, the funeral Mass, and the rite of committal. The vigil (or wake), often the first public gathering of the deceased’s family and friends as they deal with the loss of their loved one, is a time of keeping watch in the presence of the deceased, sharing memories, and expressing loss and grief. The funeral Mass is the central celebration of the Catholic funeral liturgy because it is our primary experience of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The rite of committal is the ritual of the Christian community as it accompanies the body or remains of the deceased to its final resting place. This three-part structure can be adapted based on your needs and desires.

Funeral Planning Guide

The parish has developed a guide for planning a funeral at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, which can be found at the left under "Documents." It is our hope that this guide, which should be used in conjunction with the book Through Death to Life, and the music guide will help you to explore the ways by which you can shape the funeral Mass to reflect the life of the deceased in the context of faith and the various ways for you to participate in the funeral Mass. This guide can be adapted if your loved one’s plans include cremation either before or after the funeral Mass. Please contact the Pastor if you would like some assistance with this guide.