Planning a Funeral

The basic elements of a Catholic Funeral are the Vigil, the Funeral Liturgy (Mass), and the Committal Service.  Our Funeral Coordinator will be available to describe these to you in more depth, as some of these are optional.  Below are a few additional details you may find helpful:

• A Funeral Director associated with your funeral home or cemetery, such as Queen of Heaven or Hulls, may be involved in the transport of the body, flowers, etc. They may also be responsible for collecting the fees associated with the service (Church, Priest, Cantor, and Accompanist).  
• St. Monica Church offers Funeral Masses  Mon-Fri at 10:30 am. Receptions held in the Peace Room are available until 2pm and require an insurance fee that must be purchased in the parish office.  St. Monica provides tables and tablecloths as well as coffee, tea and water only. Families are welcomed to provide a light lunch, so long as it is fully catered.
• Family members and friends who are Catholic/Christian may serve as lectors.   The privilege of being a pall bearer is at the family’s discretion. 
• It is customary for a ‘pall’ to be placed over the coffin as a reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased. Family members, if they wish, may assist in placing the pall over the coffin before the funeral liturgy begins.
• Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. A book of the Gospels, a Bible or a cross may be used.
• Filling out the form “Funeral Planning”, found below, before meeting with our Funeral Coordinator will allow you more time to discuss details that are important to you and your family.
• Only the parish's cantor and accompanist are permitted to provide sacred music at the Funeral Mass.