-
Catholic Funeral Planning"The funeral mass gives us a profound opportunity to express this hope in God’s love and mercy. The primary reason that we as Catholics have funerals for those who have died is to pray for them. We pray for the repose of their soul, that their soul may be purified so they might enter into their heavenly homeland."
-
-
music guidelines
Music is integral to the funeral rites. It allows the community to express convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey. It has the power to console and uplift the mourners and to strengthen the unity of the assembly in faith and love. The texts of the songs chosen for a particular celebration should express the paschal mystery of the Lord’s suffering, death, and triumph over death and should be related to the readings from Scripture.
—Order of Christian Funerals, §30
Thus, while Funeral music may express "convictions and feelings," its subject must always be the paschal mystery and it must be related to the readings from Scripture.
Rather than adopting popular secular songs which are inappropriate to a liturgical setting, we should seek out good liturgical music on a paschal theme which can "support, console, and uplift participants and help to create in them a spirit of hope in Christ's victory over death and in the Christian's share in that victory" (Order of Christian Funerals, §31). -
Documents
-
considerations
Should you be at that place in your life where you are aware of end of life concerns, please make an appointment with Dr. Johnson to discuss the preprations necessary.
Michael Brown is the contact person for our Collumbarium arrangements.
In the event of a recent death:- Contact our local police department, who will arrange for the city coroner to come to your home.
- Contact one of the local Funeral Homes for burial preparations.
- Blythe Funeral Home (864) 223-2223
- Harley Funeral Home (864) 229-3300
- Harris Funeral Home (Abbeville, SC) (864) 366-4027
- Contact the parish to speak with Dr. Joseph Johnson regarding planning of a Mass of Christian Burial. Please consider the following among other issues:
- Is this a Funeral Liturgy (no Mass) only? Is this a Mass of Christian Burial?
- Which local funeral home are you working with?
- Which readings will you want to include in the liturgy?
- What music selections would be appropriate for the Mass parts?
If you desire to eulogize your loved one, be aware that the Mass is an application of the merits of the sacrfiice of Jesus Christ on behalf of the deceased on their journey to heaven.
What About Euologies?
It is not therefore a "Celebration of Life" as is popular in non-Catholic communities. You may eulogize your loved one at a reception or the interment at the cemetery or columbarium.
A Guide to Catholic Funerals"The funeral mass gives us a profound opportunity to express this hope in God’s love and mercy. The primary reason that we as Catholics have funerals for those who have died is to pray for them. We pray for the repose of their soul, that their soul may be purified so they might enter into their heavenly homeland."
-