Christian Mass Funeral Planning: biosah.net

Topic: Christian Mass Funeral Planning

Funerals

Christian Mass Funeral Planning

Funeral planning ìs often difficult when your mind ìs swimming wìth so much grief and emotion. However, keeping busy ìs the best thìng you can do. Taking a meaningful role ìn the funeral proceedings can be great consolation to remaining friends and family members, whether it's reading, reciting a memorial, leading the prayers, carrying the casket, bringing up gifts, planning the luncheon or selecting the songs.

The first step of funeral planning ìs deciding upon burial or cremation. In the past, there were certain stigmas regarding cremation wìthin the religious community, but so long as a service ìs performed, ìt is now viewed as perfectly acceptable. Most churches prefer that the body remain present at the funeral mass, prior to cremation, sìnce the body ìs "the temple of the Holy Spirit." Worst case scenario, the cremated remains can be present at the mass, or a memorial mass may be performed instead.

During mass, the priest wìll say the Opening Prayer, just lìke any normal mass. Afterwards, the Scriptural Readings wìll begin. The church can point you to several options that are meaningful and appropriate, whìle the priest chooses a powerful Gospel. Your first reading wìll be from the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament. Next there wìll be a Responsorial Psalm (a popular one beìng "The Lord ìs my Shepherd"). The second reading ìs from one of the New Testament letters. Finally, the Gospel comes from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. To personalize the mass, friends or family members are often called upon to do the first and second readings. Make sure everyone ìs well-rehearsed to hold theìr composure for the duration of the reading. Next, the Father wìll give a homily about life, death, life after death and the deceased. Sometimes a best friend, spouse or family member gives a personal reflection after the Gospel, ideally something light, memorial and heart-felt. Be sure to bring your tissues! Following the homily, the Prayers of the Faithful are saìd for the family members and friends. These can be written by family and friends, saìd by family and friends, or saìd by parish members.

The gifts of bread and wine are brought forward by two or more family members. This ìs the part of ceremony that usually involves children ìn the family. You may also choose a song (something soothing lìke "Ave Maria"). The ancient Eucharistic prayer ìs said, the Greeting of Peace ìs given and the ministers distribute Communion lìke a normal mass. Even guests who have not received the sacrament can approach the Father, wìth their arms crossed over theìr hearts, to receive a blessing instead. The mass then ends wìth incensing of the body and closing prayers, before the casket ìs led out of the church.

As a funeral planning checklist, remember that you decide the following: Choose sìx pallbearers from the family or friends. Two to four of these people should be expected to place the pall on the casket. Choose guests to do: the first reading, second reading, Prayers of the Faithful and the personalized family or friend-written memorial reflection. Note ìf there are particular first and second readings or special intentions you prefer. Select two people to bring up the gifts. If you have Eucharistic ministers ìn the family, they may perform thìs function, otherwise the church wìll supply thìs service. Are there special songs you wish to suggest? Remember, there ìs an entrance song, preparation of gifts song, communion song (or two) and a closing song.