The death of a loved one is a stressful time. At St. Andrew’s we invite you to honor your loved one with a funeral service that will celebrate their life and help your family to mourn.
The following information is intended to be of help to you in planning a beautiful and dignified celebration. One of our Funeral Planning Ministers can assist you in this process. May God bless you and be with you in your time of grief.
Please allow 72hours for planning of funeral arrangements with the parish.
Frequently Asked Questions – Click Here!
Must we do all three steps: a vigil, a Mass, and a committal?
While recommended, you may opt not to have a vigil, or to schedule the committal for another time or place.
To accommodate those who work, can we schedule an evening funeral?
Yes, if the church is not previously scheduled, an evening funeral can be arranged with a private family committal the next morning.
Can the funeral be celebrated without a Mass?
Yes, in special circumstances a funeral service may be celebrated outside of Mass.
What does the Catholic Church say about cremation?
The Church permits cremation. The preference is that the cremation would occur after the funeral Mass, but it is also possible to have an urn containing the cremains present at mass rather than the deceased’s body.
What is the difference between a “vigil” and a “rosary”?
The Vigil Service is an official rite of the Church. In the past, the vigil (or wake) consisted primarily of a time of visitation and the prayers of a Rosary. Because so many non-Catholics attend, the Church has developed a Vigil service based on Scripture and prayer. Families may opt to have a Rosary prayed at the end of the Vigil.
Steps in Planning – Click Here
Step One:
Contact the funeral home that you would like to handle the necessary arrangements. The funeral director will meet with you to discuss the kind of service you would prefer, and he or she will contact St. Andrew’s to handle the scheduling of day and time.
The Rite of Christian Burial sets forth a 3-step ritual:
- The funeral vigil (also known as the viewing)
- The funeral service (usually a Mass)
- The Committal (also known as the burial)
Step Two:
A Funeral Planning Minister from our parish will contact you to arrange a time to meet. They will express to you’re the condolences of the parish, and offer to assist you with the planning of your loved one’s services. They will share with you an outline of the service that shows what is involved, along with suggestions for readings, music, and prayers.
Step Three:
Choose the readings and consider who you will ask to proclaim them. The Gospel will be proclaimed by a Deacon or the Priest at the funeral Mass, but the other readings and some of the prayers may be proclaimed or lead by a member of the family or by family friends. People are always honored to be asked to do this for someone they cared about in life.
Step Four:
Choose music that will be an appropriate memorial for your loved one. The music should express hope in the promise of Christ to give us a share in His resurrection. The Planning Minister will have suggestions for you. You may also consult with a musician form the parish if you wish.
Step Five:
Spend some time reflecting with the Planning Minister on some highlights and favorite memories of your loved one. What did they enjoy? What were their favorites? What will you miss most about them? For what should they be remembered publicly?
Step Six:
Will you ask someone to offer a “Family Remembrance” at the funeral? These words should be an appreciation of the loved one and can be in the form of a prayer, a poem, or a brief (3-5 minutes) scripted talk. The words should convey the consolation of God’s love, grace, mercy, and gratitude for the particular gifts that God gave to the deceased.
We ask that only one person speak at the funeral. Additional friends and family members are welcome to speak at the conclusion of the Vigil service the evening prior to the Funeral.
Step Seven:
Once you have your plans in place, the Planning Minister with convey them to the parish, to be shared with all who will be involved with the service as well as to be included in a worship aid for the funeral service.
Funeral Donations and Fees
The following are suggested honorariums. Ask your mortuary if they handle the payment of honorariums to the suggested individuals involved with the service or if this is something that a family member or friend will need to take care of.
- For the Church: $150
- For the Priest at Mass: $100
- For the Deacon: $75. (Vigil and Committal)
- For the Deacon: $100 (Funeral without a Mass)
**FEE: For Instrumentalists and Singer: $100 each
In lieu of flowers, families often request donations to specific funds or projects in memory of their loved ones. We will be happy to include such a notation in your worship aide.
If you need to schedule a funeral, or simply wish to discuss plans / arrangements for a funeral in the future please contact Carol Carrier or call (480) 899-1990 ext 137
Adult Bereavement Support Group
When you or someone you care about is suffering from the loss of a loved one, the process of grieving is natural part of healing. Grief, however natural, can be intense and experienced in very individual ways. It is sometimes hard to know, “Is what I’m going through ‘normal’ or natural?”
The Adult Bereavement Support Group at St. Andrew the Apostle offers a safe and understanding environment for those whose loved one has died. Through discussions, the group mutually encourages and supports each other in the expression and processing of grief.
St. Andrew’s now offer a new….
Seasons of Hope Adult Bereavement Support Group
February 10-March 16, 2012
9:15-11:15 am
St. Andrew the Apostle Library
Please bring a bible. Each participant will be given a Seasons of Hope Journal. Registration fee is $10 to cover cost of journal and materials.
Seasons of Hope is a Christ-centered support group that meets for six consecutive Friday mornings. Any parishioner who is mourning the loss of a loved one is encouraged to attend and invited to bring a guest!
Our Lord assured us that those who mourn are blessed and that they shall be comforted. Seasons of Hope offers the bereaved an opportunity to come together to share in God’s love. With the support of the faith community, we can give voice to our unique journeys of grief and find healing and spiritual growth. Seasons of Hope sessions help us explore mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection activities and faith sharing.
For those searching for hope, a Seasons of Hope group is a nurturing link to the Church, to our Lord and to other people of faith who are also mourning. Come and be comforted!
Pre-registration is required and the deadline to register is Friday, February 3, 2012 by calling Kathey Osenbau at 480-899-1990 x136 or via e-mail at kathey.osenbau@standrew-cfc.org.
Carol Carrier
Kathey Osenbau