The standard procedure for a funeral at Sacred Heart Catholic Church is that a funeral director (funeral home or mortuary) works with Sacred Heart’s parish staff to set up the details of the visitation, funeral Mass, or liturgy, luncheon, and interment. Funeral directors are very helpful to the parish in that they arrange for the times of the events, assist in setting up for the visitation if it is held at Sacred Heart, and help the family in coordinating the luncheon and the interment. They also provide valuable assistance with programs, easels and tables for pictures and memory displays, and guest books. Normally the procedure is that, after news of death, the funeral home is contacted first. The funeral home will then contact Sacred Heart to determine possible times and dates for a funeral Mass/Liturgy. The family will meet with the funeral director and confirm the date/time. Family members should then contact Sacred Heart to arrange for a meeting with the priest or deacon who will preside at the funeral. This is to choose scripture readings, hymns, and other details of the funeral liturgy.
Guest Priest/Deacon
If the family of the deceased requests a guest clergy, the family should inform the presider from Sacred Heart at the time of their meeting. The funeral liturgy will be presided over by a Sacred Heart priest or deacon. The guest priest/deacon will always be welcome to concelebrate (or assist in the case of a deacon) as long as he is in good standing. At the discretion of the presider, the guest priest/deacon may be permitted to give the homily, final commendation, and lead the service at the cemetery. Normally, a guest priest or deacon will not preside at a funeral liturgy.
Mass or Liturgy without Mass?
The standard liturgy for a deceased Catholic who was in good standing with the Church is a Mass, with the body present. A Mass should always be the presumed format. If there is a question about whether a liturgy without Mass might be more appropriate, the presider should speak to the family. In a case where the deceased is not a practicing Catholic or lived a life publicly contradicting Catholic beliefs and practice, a liturgy without a Mass might be more appropriate.
Wakes, Flowers, Memorials
Wakes (visitation) may take place prior to the Funeral Liturgy in the vestibule of the church in front of the baptistry. Set-up (flowers, easels, etc., including the casket) may take place no more than 30 minutes prior to the wake. Wakes are limited to no more than two (2) hours. Anyone considering a wake longer than that time frame must utilize the service of a funeral home.
Flower arrangements (no more than two) may be left for use in the church at the discretion of the family as a temporary memorial to the deceased. Floral arrangements may not, however, be left in the church during the Lenten season.
Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Funeral Luncheon
Our Funeral Luncheon Committee can provide a luncheon for family and friends after the Mass or burial. The Committee handles the meal preparation, serving, and clean-up for the lunch. While there is no charge for this service, a donation would be appreciated. Discuss this detail with the presider at the family arrangement meeting.
A child who has died before Baptism
A Mass can always be celebrated for a child who has died, even without baptism. Appropriate prayers are used if the child was not baptized.
Funerals for non-Catholics
A Catholic funeral may be celebrated (even a Mass) for a person who is not a Catholic, as long as this would not offend the sensibilities of those who attend. This case may arise when the living spouse is Catholic, and the spouse who died practiced no religion.
Eulogies
The grieving process necessarily includes time to remember the life of the deceased loved one. In the Catholic funeral rite, this is most appropriately done during the time of visitation, at lunch, or even at the Vigil (Wake) Service.
Since the Funeral Mass is primarily the time for praise and thanks for God's gift of eternal life in Jesus, we discourage the inclusion of a eulogy at the Mass. Therefore, please be sure to plan for eulogies at the Vigil (Wake) Service.
If a eulogy is to be included at the Funeral Mass, there can be only one speaker, and the reflections may be no more than three minutes long. It must be presented to the priest-celebrant in writing in advance of the Funeral Mass.