Funeral Preparations

“When a member of Christ’s Body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love.  Christian consolation is rooted in that hope that comes from faith in the saving death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christian hope faces the reality of death and anguish of grief but trusts confidently that the power of sin and death has been vanquished by the risen Lord.  The Church calls each member of Christ’s Body – priest, deacon, layperson – to participate in the ministry of consolation:  to care for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn.”  (Order of Christian Funerals  paragraph 8)

“The community’s principal involvement in the ministry of consolation is expressed in its active participation in the celebration of the funeral rites, particularly the Vigil for the Deceased, the Funeral Liturgy, and the Rite of Committal.”  (Order of Christian Funerals paragraph 11)

At Saint Gabriel the funeral rites are scheduled in coordination with the family and funeral home.

            1. The Vigil for the Deceased on the evening before the Funeral Mass.  This can be either a Scripture Service or the Rosary and is led by the pastor or, in his absence, a member of the parish.

            2.  The Funeral Mass.  It is usually scheduled at 10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. and involves, in addition to the priest/presider,  the following: an organist, the Saint Gabriel Bereavement Choir, a lector, Communion ministers, and servers.  The family is encouraged to meet with the pastor in advance to plan the funeral liturgy. 

            3.  The Rite of Committal usually takes place at the cemetery immediately following the funeral mass.

The Saint Gabriel Bereavement Committee is happy to offer a luncheon for the family and friends of the deceased following the Rite of Committal.  This usually takes place at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Gifts and Fees:

The family is expected to reimburse the parish for the following:

            1.  the Funeral Mass stipend of $10.00.

            2.  the organist’s fee of $50.00.

In addition the family might consider the following monetary gifts:

            1.  a Memorial Gift to Saint Gabriel Church in the name of the deceased.

            2.  an honorarium to the priest/presider.

            3.  a tip for the servers.

            4.  a donation to the Bereavement Committee to cover incidental expenses.

Our thanks go to the three Connersville Funeral Homes: Miller, Moster, Robbins; Showalter, Blackwell, Long; and Urban, Winkler for their assistance in coordinating all of the above with the family and with us. 

Memorial Gift Cards for everyone’s use are available

in the back of church under the St. Anthony Statue

and at the funeral home.