The Funeral Mass

The funeral Mass, known as the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial, is a Mass in a Catholic church in which the remains are usually present, whether in body or cremains. Rich in symbols, the Funeral Mass firstly is the Church’s prayer beseeching God to give eternal rest to our dearly departed and secondly aids the family in making their final farewell. The prayers speak of our hope in eternal life with God and the resurrection of the dead. The coffin is covered with a white pall to signify that the deceased was baptized. The tall paschal candle is lit to bring the faithful back to the resurrection of Jesus and Easter, the feast through which each of us will rise from the dead. As the incense rises to the heavens, so our prayers and our loved ones rise, too. The funeral Mass is a sacred moment in church, so all that is done as part of the Mass is also sacred.

To help you prepare for your deceased family member’s funeral Mass, here are the places for you to consider for family or friends’ participation. Please know that if for whatever reason, you wish not to choose readings and/or music and provide readers yourselves, the Church can always supply these for any funeral.

There are four places for approved hymns that are normally sung as a part of the liturgy of the Church.  The processional, offertory, communion and recessional hymns are all part of the prayer of the Church.  As Catholics, we realize that funerals are a difficult time for all involved.  We also recognize that music plays a very important part in the lives of many, and that certain songs remind us of our loved ones.  We respect and appreciate that.  However, in the Catholic burial rites, we only play or sing sacred music in church.  We do not sing or play non sacred music in church -- either during the Mass, prior to, or following.  This includes music that has a religious connotation but is not sacred music. This guide contains a list of hymns that you may choose.  

Please note: The musicians are provided by the parish. If you have a request for a particular vocalist or instrumentalist, this must be specially arranged with the parish priest in advance. Only those with knowledge and experience of the Catholic Mass and funeral rite will be considered.

Please note that a eulogy or words of remembrance are not to be delivered in the Church.  The Funeral Mass is the time and place where we listen with hope, longing, and comfort to God’s Word. The wake service, the committal at the cemetery, or the luncheon/reception are the suitable places to share our own words that memorialize our loved ones.
The hall of each parish may be used for a post-funeral reception, depending on availability. Please speak with Father for more information.

Your funeral director will guide you in this decision-making process. You may phone the rectory at (802) 877-2367 (St Peter’s) or (802) 453-2488 (St Ambrose) should you have questions or wish to begin the process or you may use the form below to make your selections.