St. Mark Parish Family extends its deepest prayers and condolences to your family.  We would like to walk with you in the planning of the funeral for your loved one.  Upon the death of a loved one contact the parish office at (810) 636-2216 and we will help and guide you during this most difficult time in your life.

INTRODUCTION
“… 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 ... . The Church calls each member of
Christ’s Body – priest, deacon, and layperson – to participate in the ministry of consolation: to
care for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn….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. For this reason these rites should be scheduled at times that permit as
many of the community as possible to be present”.

THREE PARTS TO A CATHOLIC FUNERAL
In these three sequential rites, the Church offers to those who are mourning a way to prepare
themselves spiritually and emotionally, to say their goodbyes. More and more Catholics are
eliminating one or more of these three rites. Except in extraordinary circumstances this should
not be the case. The burial of the body or cremains should take place in a reasonable time after
death has occurred. The prayer of the Church is seen as a timely way to say farewell and to
offer prayers for the immortal soul of the deceased. To delay the Rites of Christian Burial
simply for convenience is inappropriate.
 

• THE VIGIL (WAKE)

        At the Vigil, the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God
        of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence. The Catholic Vigil is a prayer service,              
        usually held the evening before the funeral. The community of friends and family will
        usually gather for a service at the funeral home. In some cases (especially if many
        people are expected), the Vigil may be held in the church. The Vigil includes scripture
        readings, homily, and prayer for both the deceased and the grieving family. Also, a
        eulogy may be read at the Vigil. Visitation usually follows the Vigil, or Wake, service.
 

• THE FUNERAL LITURGY

         The core of the Catholic funeral celebration is the Liturgy. The Eucharist is at the center  
         of the Catholic faith – the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.       
         Scripture readings and prayer also play a prominent role in the Catholic funeral service,  
         along with songs, hymns, and a homily. The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and
         resurrection is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.  The family plays an
         important role in helping to choose the readings and the hymns, as well as, allow for      
         family and friends to be chosen as readers and Liturgical Ministers for the Funeral       
         liturgy.
 

• THE RITE OF COMMITTAL (BURIAL/INTERMENT)

CREMATION
In recent years, Catholic funeral practices have been impacted by the increasing popularity of
cremation as a means of providing for the final disposition of the body. In order to help in funeral planning and allow you to follow the teachings of the Catholic Church, please review the following principles regarding Cremation in the Catholic Church. On March 21, 1997, the Holy See granted an indult to The Order of Christian Funerals, giving permission to the U.S. Latin-rite bishops to allow the celebration of the funeral liturgy in the presence of cremated remains.  When cremation of the body is chosen, the Church still prefers that the body be cremated after the Funeral, thus allowing for the presence of the body at the Funeral Mass. When circumstances require it, however, cremation and committal may take place even before the Funeral liturgy.  Most of the usual rites which are celebrated in the presence of the body of the deceased may also be celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains. The primary symbols of the Roman Catholic Funeral Liturgy are retained even when the funeral liturgy is celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains. The cremains may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table where the casket normally would be.

The cremated remains of the deceased must be given the same respect as a body is given during the Rite of Committal. A worthy vessel must carry the cremated remains of the deceased to the place of internment. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering ashes over the sea, on the ground, or from the air is not permitted for Catholics and is not considered to be the reverent disposition of the cremated remains.

PLEASE NOTE
Catholics should never retain the cremated remains in their homes, places of work, or any other
personal space. Neither should Catholics divide and share the cremated remains of the
deceased. The Church requires that the cremated remains be buried or placed in a recognized
area of reverence for the dead.

READINGS
Readings are provided in the SCRIPTURE & INTERCESSIONS FOR THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL (Please see the readings included in our menu) to give grieving families an opportunity to hear God speak to them in their fears and in their sorrows, offering hope in the midst of their pain. The biblical readings may never be replaced by non-biblical readings. The Word proclaimed is God’s way of speaking to us and can never be replaced by conventional wisdom or poetry. Two readings may be selected for use during the Funeral Liturgy and 2 readers should be chosen to read these readings. The first reading is taken from the Old Testament (A) and the second is selected from the New Testament (B) options. The responsorial psalm should always be sung. The Gospel (C) will be selected by the Presider. The Gospel may only be proclaimed by a priest or deacon.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
The General Intercessions (D) are to be taken from SCRIPTURE & INTERCESSIONS FOR THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL (Please see our menu). There may be an addition of one or two personal petitions to the prescribed set.  Someone should be chosen to read the General Intercessions, if one is not chosen the Presider/Deacon will read the intercessions.

MUSIC
Sacred music is an integral part to the celebration of the funeral liturgy. Our Music Minister and a Cantor or a substitute will be present to foster the full and active participation of the assembly in the Funeral Mass or Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass. The selection of music must be liturgical and express our Christian belief in the gift of the resurrection. Religious hymns should speak to the mysteries of our Faith regarding death and resurrection. While popular music may warm the hearts of those who are left behind, it must never replace sacred music, and is not suitable for a Funeral liturgy. Such music is better suited to be played during the visitation or during the luncheon, if applicable. Every effort must be made to accompany the funeral rites with appropriate hymns, responses, and acclamations. (Please see Hymns in our menu).

VIEWING THE BODY
This practice is highly encouraged, because it helps remove doubts that the loved one has truly
died. The body should be viewed at the funeral home. At the time of the Mass of Christian
Burial the casket is closed; however, viewing may take place in the church/chapel or lobby of
the church prior to the Mass. If the vigil/rosary is held in the church/chapel, viewing can take
place in the church/chapel before and after the vigil service.

FUNERAL MASS AND VIGIL TIMES
Vigil services are usually held between 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. the day before the funeral. Funeral
Masses generally will begin at 11:00 a.m., Monday - Saturday. This should be coordinated with
the funeral director and the parish. No funeral Masses may be scheduled for Sundays or
holy days.

LUNCHEON
You may choose to have the luncheon after the funeral and burial in the Sr. Joan May Parish Center.  The St. Mark Funeral Luncheon Team provides setup, serving, cleanup, paper plates, napkins, cups and utensils. They will provide coffee, tea, water and lemonade and desserts.  The family is responsible to contact a caterer or bring in their own food.  The St. Mark kitchen cannot be used for preparation.  Please contact the parish for suggestions. 

CHURCH STIPEND AND FEES
Most funeral directors itemize all costs within their billings. This is something that should be discussed with them. Included should be stipends for these services:
Church Stipend (a donation is encouraged but not required)
Presider $150
Musician $100
Cantor $100