Funerals in Our Parish

"At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of Baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end, nor does it break the bonds forged in life. The Church also ministers to the sorrowing and consoles them in the funeral rites with the comforting Word of God and the Sacrament of the Eucharist."

- Order of Christian Funerals, no. 4

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The first telephone call a family should make at the death of a loved one should be to a funeral home of their choosing. The funeral home will contact the Parish Office to make arrangements. If a funeral home is not involved, please call the Parish Office to begin discussing arrangements 

TIME
Most funeral Masses in our parish are held on weekdays at 10:00am or 11:00am. Other times are possible, depending on the availability of our parish clergy.

Funeral home services and cemetery burials with a priest or deacon are scheduled as requested, depending on the availability of our parish clergy.

COST
Information on donations is available from the funeral homes or by contacting the Parish Office. Usually these donations are mediated through the chosen funeral home. For families of limited means, please contact the Parish Office.

FAMILY PARTICIPATION
In a funeral Mass, family members may choose music and readings from Sacred Scripture. Family members or friends may also bring up the offertory gifts of bread and wine. These options will be discussed when meeting with our parish clergy or funeral coordinator.

At the end of the funeral liturgy in the church, the priest or deacon may permit one family member or friend to speak in remembrance of the deceased and his/her life of faith, virtue and good works. Although these words of remembrance are permitted, the priest or deacon has a duty to ensure that the Church’s funeral rites are conducted in a dignified, respectful way. Families and friends are asked to be respectful of and to cooperate with the priest or deacon in preserving the sacred character of the Catholic funeral, in accord with the liturgical practices of the Church throughout the world and the guidelines of the Diocese of Portland. For this reason, the celebrant reserves the right to review the speaker’s text or outline in advance of the funeral Mass. Words of remembrance are not to exceed five minutes in length. It also is important to note that words of remembrance are optional and that the most appropriate times for offering them are at the vigil/wake or the post-funeral reception.

A eulogy, which focuses praise on an individual, is neither appropriate nor permitted at Catholic funerals. During a funeral, our praise is directed toward God in gratitude for the Risen Christ and his promise of salvation. (Taken from Pastoral Letter on Funerals)

MUSIC
Options for music in the funeral Mass will be discussed when meeting with our parish clergy or funeral coordinator. Because of the sacredness of the funeral and its focus on the Paschal Mystery with its promise of salvation, music should be carefully chosen to reflect our shared beliefs, especially as articulated in the Word of God. Ultimately, the purpose of music in the funeral rites is to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. Thus, each funeral is linked with the common prayer and musical tradition of the whole Church, especially the psalms, which have, throughout the ages, expressed the suffering and hope of all God’s people. Secular music is not the appropriate accompaniment to the sacred liturgy because it cannot express fully these values of ultimate significance. (Taken from Pastoral Letter on Funerals)

THE CHOICE OF CREMATION
Burial or interment has been the constant practice of the Church, a sign of her reverence for the human body and belief in the Resurrection on the Last Day. As Christ's body was interred, so too does the Church bury/inter the deceased. The Church strongly encourages its members to continue this venerable practice and avoid cremation. When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended that the cremation take place after the Funeral Liturgy. Cremated remains may not be separated, scattered, turned into jewelry, etc. (See Pastoral Letter on Funerals for more information.)

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES
It is natural to desire burial near those with whom we have formed bonds of friendship and love. As Christians, however, we also have spiritual bonds with one another that exist in virtue of our shared faith. Throughout history, Christians have been buried near other Christians in places that have been blessed and dedicated for prayer and remembrance. Although Catholics may be buried or interred in non-Catholic cemeteries, burial in a Catholic cemetery reaffirms that we remain brothers and sisters in Christ, united even in death. Indeed, when the Church gathers at a Catholic cemetery to commend the deceased to God, we find ourselves surrounded by the graves and tombs of those who died in the hope that they, too, may share in new and everlasting life. In Catholic cemeteries, the faith of the deceased resonates with the living, and we realize that they did not die in vain. In those circumstances when the deceased is buried or interred in a non-Catholic cemetery, the priest or deacon blesses the site of burial or interment.

In this diocese, both non-Catholics and non-Christians may be buried or interred in Catholic cemeteries. This may be requested in places where no other cemeteries are available or to allow the burial or interment of non-Catholic family members near their Catholic loved ones. (Taken from Pastoral Letter on Funerals)

Calvary Cemetery
of South Portland