How to prepare a Funeral

Preparing a Funeral Mass

At St George‘s, Funeral Masses are normally celebrated at 11 a.m. on weekdays. For these Masses, the body of the deceased should be brought into the church, where it will be received at the entrance. The church can be appropriately decorated, and the parish will make arrangements for liturgical musicians and other ministries, in agreement with the family of the deceased.

(As our hall is permanently occupied on weekdays, the parish cannot normally host receptions following a Funeral Mass.)

Families are encouraged to suggest Biblical Readings for the Funeral Mass and select readers who are comfortable proclaiming these sacred texts in the course of the celebration. You can pick up a booklet with Readings from the Parish office and/or read them online: 

Music at Funeral Masses expresses our hope in eternal life and forgiveness of sins, and our desire to pray for our deceased brothers with all our heart. Please take a look at the leaflet with music for funeral Masses linked below. Families can select from the options provided in this collection.

Our stories are important and give comfort. A Catholic funeral focuses on our role of the Resurrection story: eulogies, however, are not an integral part of the Catholic funeral liturgy, and no family should feel obliged to include one in the funeral liturgy. Families and friends are encouraged to share their memories of the deceased in “Words of Remembrance” during the wake or visitation at the funeral home, after the Burial Rite at the graveside, or at the reception. If this seems impossible or inopportune, Words of Remembrance can also be spoken in the church, before the funeral begins, with or without the presence of the body. If this is the case, the length of the contributions (normally from one speaker) are to be agreed upon with the celebrant.