St. Edward the Confessor parish community wishes to minister to the family and loved ones of the one who has died, as well as to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased. It is our hope that these Funeral Guidelines will be of assistance to anyone who is preparing for a Catholic funeral at St. Edward the Confessor parish.

It is good to plan ahead of time, giving you the opportunity to express your personal wishes, and to relieve the burden of those you love from making these decisions at a most difficult time.  Many funeral homes and cemeteries have advance planning and will help you with the arrangements.


Upon the death of a loved one, a family member should contact the parish office as soon as possible; such timely notification facilitates the necessary planning of the funeral rites. Funeral Masses can be celebrated on any day of the week except: Solemnities (Holy Days of Obligation, including Sundays), Holy Thursday, and during the Easter Triduum. The day, time, and type of service must be arranged with the church and with the presiding priest’s calendars, once determined the planning will begin.

Our parish is blessed to have the services of men and women who serve as “Bereavement Ministers”. They will assist the family in planning for the various liturgical services for the deceased.

As Catholics, we celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise and thanksgiving for the gift of life which has now returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Church identifies three principal rites of celebration, with the flexibility to choose the rite and/or rites that best serves you and your family.


 

Funeral Service Form

The Vigil (Wake) Service:

The Vigil Service usually takes place on the eve of the Funeral Mass and may be held in the family’s home, the Funeral home or in the parish church. This service generally includes Scripture readings, prayers and consolation for the members of the bereaved family. The Rosary, or a portion of it, may be recited since it helps us to reflect upon the Paschal Mystery and so leads us to a greater sense of hope at this time of grief. A priest, deacon, bereavement minister or a family member may conduct this rite. The Vigil Service provides the appropriate and preferred setting for family and friends to offer eulogies, as well as other remembrances and family traditions.

The Funeral Mass:

The Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration, which takes place in the parish church, with a priest as the main celebrant. The funeral liturgy includes the reception of the body, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Final Commendation and Farewell. As an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ we actively participate in the Funeral Mass. Family members may cover the casket with the pall, read Scripture, and present the gifts at the Offertory. This rite can be celebrated with the presence of the body, cremains (cremated remains), or as a Memorial Mass without the body. Other options, like a simple Scripture Service may also be arranged.

The Rite of Committal:

The Rite of Committal may be celebrated at the graveside, mausoleum, or at sea. This service consists of prayers, blessings, and a final farewell. A priest, deacon or bereavement minister may lead this rite. If the cemetery is outside of the County of Orange, arrangements may be made by the parish or mortuary to secure the service of someone to conduct the service.

Symbolic Elements

Paschal (Easter) Candle:
First lit at the Easter Vigil and burns near the casket or urn during the Funeral Mass. The candle represents the Light of the Risen Christ, who has overcome darkness and death by His Resurrection.

Holy Water:
Holy water reminds us of the saving waters of baptism. At the reception of the body the priest sprinkles the casket or urn with holy water; its use calls to mind the deceased’s baptism and initiation into the community of faith. In the rite of Final Commendation, it may also signify farewell.

Incense:
Blessing the casket or urn with incense during the funeral liturgy is a sign of honor to the deceased, which through baptism became the temple of the Holy Spirit. The rising of the incense smoke is a symbol of our prayers and a sign of farewell of our departed one rising to God.

Funeral Pall:
The funeral pall (a large white cloth) reminds us of the garment given at baptism and therefore symbolizing our life in Christ and that we are all equal in the eyes of God. At the reception of the body, the pall is draped over the casket following the blessing with holy water. Family members are encouraged to take part in the placing of the pall, as well as placing a family crucifix, rosary, or a bible on the pall. An American flag (folded) may also be placed on the pall.

Ossuary:
While a white pall is not used in a funeral liturgy with the cremated remains, an Ossuary may be used to hold the urn. It is a hand-crafted chest, which offers the ideal receptacle for an urn, and stands in a place of honor near the altar. Like the pragmatic usage of the pall, an Ossuary avoids any distinction between urns and containers, and assures that the rich and the poor are given their rightful dignity during the funeral liturgy.

Some Practicalities

Cremation:
The Church strongly prefers that cremation take place after the full funeral liturgy with the body. The presence of the body most clearly brings to mind the life and death of the person and better expresses the values that the Church affirms in its rites. However, when this is not possible, all the usual rites which are celebrated with the body present may also be celebrated in the presence of the cremains (cremated remains). During the rites, the cremains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the body. The cremains are to be sealed in a worthy vessel, and may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table or in the Ossuary near the altar. It is a Catholic practice that the cremains are buried in their entirety. If the burial is to take place at sea, please check with your mortuary regarding civil regulations.


Planning for the Funeral Services:
When possible and desired, family and friends should actively participate in planning the funeral rites. Our parish is blessed to have the services of men and women who serve as bereavement ministers, they will assist the family in choosing the Scripture readings, readers, intercessory prayers, pall bearers, presenters of the gifts, and the appropriate music with the life of the deceased in mind, to encourage and console those who mourn.


Music for Funeral Liturgies:
Music is an important part of ritual, and we encourage families to make full use of the Church’s rich tradition, and our parish’s musical resources. The bereavement minister together with the director of music ministries will assist the family in selecting the hymns, a cantor, an accompanist, and any other musicians from St. Edward the Confessor parish. You may visit the Funeral Service Form section to listen to the music and submit the form.


Flowers:
 We welcome flowers as part of the funeral celebration. They will be displayed in the vestibule near the baptismal font; one or two floral arrangements may be brought to the sanctuary area and placed to the side of the altar. The floral casket spray is removed before the funeral liturgy, in order that the pall may be placed, the spray is later returned at the end of the funeral liturgy. If family or friends would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to St. Edward the Confessor Christian Service (outreach to the poor) or to St. Edward the Confessor Parish School (for the tuition assistance program).


Eulogies:
The appropriate place for eulogies would be at the Vigil Service prior to the Funeral Mass.   If this is not done and the family desires to have a eulogy at the Funeral or Memorial Mass, the following guidelines should be observed:

  • The preferred time for the eulogy is before opening prayer, at the beginning of Mass.
  • Our parish custom permits one or, in certain cases, two eulogies.
  • Eulogies must be brief, 3-4 minutes each, and not exceeding a total time of ten minutes.
  • Other opportunities for speakers are at the graveside service or at the reception.
  • Additional information will be provided by the bereavement minister at the home visit.

Parish Receptions:
Parishioners may request to use the Knight Hall for a reception following a Funeral Mass, subject to availability, where family and friends can gather for a time of refreshment and remembrance.

Priests or Deacons from other Parishes:
If a family would like to invite a priest or a deacon from another parish to preside at any of the funeral rites, they are most welcome.

Funeral Donations and Fees:
There is no charge for a funeral at St. Edward the Confessor parish. It is customary to give a donation to the parish, and the suggested amount is $100.00. The fees for the liturgical musicians are $125.00 for the Organist/Pianist and $125.00 for the Cantor/Vocalist. There are no charges or suggested donations for the services of the priest, deacon, or bereavement ministers. Donations for altar servers are not required, as a stipend is provided by the parish. Please submit one check (payable to St. Edward the Confessor) to the mortuary or to your bereavement minister for the services of the liturgical musicians and any other donations prior to the funeral service.


 

A Final Thought on Catholic Funerals:

As members of the body of Christ, when one suffers, we all suffer. Therefore, we are called on as a community to care for the dying, to console those who mourn, and to participate in the funeral rites. The celebration of a Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. Prayerful preparation and planning of the funeral rites will help you and your loved ones deal successfully and gracefully with the ultimate rite of passage through death to eternal life.