​Ministry of Consolation and Compassion

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Matthew 5:4

After the parish is notified of a death, the family will be contacted by a Minister of Consolation and Compassion. You will be invited to the rectory to meet and plan the funeral liturgy for your deceased relative or friend. Family members are encouraged to review the scripture readings, music selections, Prayers of the Faithful and other options appropriate for the Mass of Christian Burial before meeting with a Minister of Consolation and Compassion. Please don’t have a mass booklet printed until after the meeting takes place.

What to expect when you meet with a Minister of Consolation and Compassion

• The Rite of Christian Funerals does not provide for a Eulogy. However, there is a provision for one representative of the family to offer a few brief remarks focusing on the faith life of the deceased. These remarks will be read before the final commendation. What is prepared should not exceed three minutes. It is important that this time frame be honored. Often there is another funeral or service scheduled to use the church immediately following the funeral. Remarks should be prepared in advance and written down since this is often a difficult and emotional time for the speaker. Inappropriate stories/jokes should be reserved for less formal occasions such as the memorial luncheon.
• Please choose hymns from the list provided. The Funeral Choir and a cantor will sing at the funeral.

• The Pall, a white cloth symbolic of baptism, will be placed on the casket when the casket is brought into the church. The funeral director, or the pall bearers or the family members may place the pall.

• Family members may select three readings:
  • one Old Testament-can be read by a relative or friend of the deceased
  • one New Testament-can be read by a relative or friend of the deceased
  • one Gospel-will be read by the priest or deacon

• Prayers of the Faithful are read following the homily. These may be read by a family member or the family may request that the priest read  the prayers.

• Members of the family are invited to present the gifts at the Offertory. The table containing the gifts of bread, water and wine is usually in front of the first pew.

• Young family members who are experienced altar servers may act in this capacity at the funeral liturgy.

• If a relative or family friend is a mandated Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist in this diocese he or she may assist with the distribution of the Eucharist at Communion.
• If the family has chosen to create a worship aid/funeral booklet copies must be presented to the rectory office in a timely manner prior to the funeral liturgy.  Please use this guideline when preparing a worship aid/funeral booklet.