1

“I am the Resurrection and the Life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live,

and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

John 11:25-26

Holy Cross Funeral Ministry Preparing to Celebrate

the Funeral Mass

Revised Edition 2017

2

- Prayer of Commendation - (Taken from the Order of Christian Funerals)

Into Your Hands, Father of Mercies, we commend our brothers and sisters

in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, they will rise with Him on the last day.

We give You thanks for the blessings which

You bestowed upon them in this life: they are signs to us of Your goodness and of

our fellowship with the Saints in Christ.

Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers:

open the gates of Paradise to your servants and help us who remain to comfort one another

with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with You and with our brothers and sisters for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

3

FUNERAL LITURGY GUIDELINES

AS SET BY

THE BISHOP OF ROCKFORD

BY HONORING THE REMAINS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED, WE

SHOW HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION.

We fully support, honor, and respect the body as we also strongly en-

courage the Rite of Christian Funerals with each of the families that we

care for during their time of deep sorrow. It is important for survivors to

respect the wishes of the deceased by honoring the deceased with the Rite

of Christian Burial.

If cremation is the choice of the deceased, the Church requests that the

body be present, if at all possible, for the Cremation Rites Memorial

Mass.

When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended

that the cremation take place after the Funeral Liturgy. In this case, the

Vigil for the Deceased and related rites and prayers, as well as the Fu-

neral Liturgy are celebrated as they are provided by the Church.

The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect

given to the human body. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to con-

tain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and atten-

tion to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition.

Proper Committal is required.

A eulogy is not given in the church or during the Mass as it is not fitting

with the Solemnity of the Liturgy. Likewise, the Prayers of the Faithful

will be read by the Priest or Deacon. A eulogy may be given by family

members at the Visitation, or at the luncheon.

The body is the Temple of the Soul; therefore, we honor and respect the

body at all times…even in death!

4

SELECTIONS FOR MASS READINGS (Taken from the Order of Christian Funerals)

First Reading (Old Testament) Make one selection.

1. Job 19:1; 23-27 I know that my Redeemer lives.

2. Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God.

3. Wisdom 4:7-14 A blameless life is a ripe old age.

4. Isaiah 25:6; 7-9 The Lord God will destroy death forever.

5. Lamentations 3:17-26 It is good to wait in silence for the

Lord God to save.

6. Daniel 12:1-3 Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the

earth, many will awake.

7. 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 It is good and holy to think of the

dead rising again.

8. Sirach 2:1-11 In fire gold is tested….

5

Second Reading (New Testament) Make one selection.

1. Acts 10:34-43 God has appointed our Lord Jesus to judge

everyone, alive and dead.

2. Romans 5:5-11 Hope does not disappoint, because the love of

God has been poured out.

3. Romans 5:17-21 Where sin increased, there grace abounded

all the more.

4. Romans 6:3-9 Let us walk in newness of life.

5. Romans 8:14-23 We groan while we wait for the redemption

of our bodies.

6. Romans 8:31-35; 37-39 Who can ever come between us and

the love of Christ?

7. Romans 14:7-12 Whether alive or dead, we belong to

the Lord.

8. 1 Corinthians 15:20-24; 25-28 All people will be brought to

life in Christ.

9. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Death is swallowed up in victory.

10. 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 What is seen is transitory; what is

unseen is eternal.

11. 2 Corinthians 5:1; 6-10 We have an everlasting home in

heaven.

12. Philippians 3:20-21 Jesus will transfigure these bodies of

ours to be like His glorious body.

13. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We shall stay with the Lord forever.

14. 2 Timothy 2:8-13 If we have died with Him, then we shall

live with Him.

6

15. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 17-18 I have competed well; I have

finished the race; I have kept the faith.

16. 1 John 3:1-2 We shall see God as He really is.

17. 1 John 3:14-16 We have passed from death to life.

18. Revelation 14:13 Happy are those who die in the Lord.

19. Revelation 20:11-21:1 The dead have been judged according

to their works.

20. Revelation 21:1-7 There will be no more death.

Gospel Reading Make one selection

1. Matthew 5:1-12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great

in Heaven. (The Beatitudes)

2. Matthew 11:25-30 Come to Me…and I will give you rest.

3. Matthew 25:1-13 The bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.

4. Matthew 25:31-46 Come, you whom My Father has blessed.

5. Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 Jesus sighed and breathed His last.

6. Luke 7:11-17 Young man, I say to you, arise.

7. Luke 12:35-40 Be prepared. You do not know the hour.

8 . Luke 23:33; 39-43 Today you will be with Me in Paradise.

7

9 . Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-6 Father, I put My life in Your hands.

10. Luke 24:13-16; 28-35 The Lord has truly been raised.

11. John 5:24-29 Whoever hears My word and believes has

passed from death to life.

12. John 6:37-40 All who believe in the Son will have eternal life.

13. John 6:51-58 All who eat this bread will live forever.

14. John 11:17-27 I am the Resurrection and the Life.

15. John 11:32-45 Lazarus, come out.

16. John 12:23-28 If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and

dies, it yields a rich harvest.

17. John 14:1-6 There are many rooms in My Father’s house.

18. John 17:24-26 Father, I want those You have given Me to be

with Me where I am.

19. John 19:17-18; 25-30 Jesus bowed His head and gave up

His Spirit.

8

MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR THE FUNERAL MASS

Music selections should be familiar. Funeral liturgies, as in any special

rite of the Roman Catholic Church, should reflect the music sung on

Sundays. Special requests that are not liturgical in nature (secular selec-

tions, recordings, etc.) are inappropriate for the Holy Sacrifice of the

Mass. Such music that is alien to our Faith robs the Mass of its power

and integrity. Any special requests that may be in question, should be

reviewed by the Director of the Resurrection Choir and the Pastor.

For Funeral Masses, we offer the services of our Resurrection Choir. If

you have a specific request regarding musicians, please notify the

Director of the Resurrection Choir and the Pastor.

Processional…Make one selection.

Be Not Afraid 450

Be Thou My Vision 452

Here I Am, Lord

Holy, Holy, Holy! 562

I Heard the Voice 572

Jesus, Remember Me 595

The King of Love 784

We Gather Together 820

Jesus Lord Have Mercy 592 (Adoro Te)

Spirit Seeking Light and Beauty 761

Ultima 807

All numbers are from the Saint Michael Hymnal

9

Responsorial Psalms…Make one selection. Sung between the first two readings.

Ps. 23: Shepherd Me, O God

Ps. 25: To You, O Lord

Ps. 27: The Lord is My Light and My Salvation

Ps. 33: Let Your Mercy Be On Us

Ps. 63: My Soul is Thirsting

Ps. 95: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits

Ps. 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful

Ps. 131: Like a Child Rests

Gospel Acclamations…Make one selection.

Celtic Alleluia

Traditional Alleluia

Praise To You (During Lent)

Presentation of the Gifts…Make one selection.

Irish Blessing (Solo)

Surely the Presence

We Gather Together 820

You Are Mine

The Prayer Of Saint Francis 724

Abide With Me 402

Jerusalem, My Happy Home 587

Lord Of All Hopefulness 622

All You Who Seek 422

10

Communion…Make one selection. Hail, Mary, Gentle Woman

Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All 593

O Jesus, We Adore Thee 667

O Lord, I Am Not Worthy 672

Taste and See

Behold The Lamb 454

Who At Thy First Eucharist 624

Lord, When You Came To The Seashore 626

Panis Angelicus 709 or Solo

Meditation/Solo… Make one selection.

Ave Maria (Schubert)

Irish Blessing

Panis Angelicus

Go In Peace

Song of Farewell… Required.

Recessional… Make one selection.

Amazing Grace 430

For All the Saints 523

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name 561

How Great Thou Art 569

On Eagle’s Wings 698

The Strife is O’er 787

Praise To The Lord 721

Jesus Lord Have Mercy 592

Military Hymns… Army- God of our Fathers 538

Air Force– Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

Navy and Marines– Eternal Father 518

11

Guidelines for Family Participation

in the Funeral Mass

Placing of the Pall (omitted for Cremation or Memorial

Mass)

The Pall is the white cloth placed upon the casket after the Priest

blesses the casket with Holy Water. The family members participat-

ing simply unfold the Pall and drape it evenly over the casket. The

procession then proceeds to the front of the church. The immediate

family will be seated to the left of the casket.

Old and New Testament Readings

The Old Testament reading is read following the Scripture Reading

done by the Priest shortly after he arrives in the Sanctuary. He will

say: “You may be seated for the First Reading to be read by a

family member.”

The reader will go to the side of the Sanctuary, bow respectfully

and then proceed to the podium to recite the reading. Simply turn

the page when finished; step down; bow and return to one’s seat.

The Resurrection Choir will sing the Psalm.

The New Testament reading follows the singing of the Psalm. That

is the signal for the next reader to go to the podium and follow the

procedure stated above. Turn the page when finished; step down;

bow and return to one’s seat.

Presentation of the Gifts

Following the Homily and the Prayers of the Faithful, an Altar

Server will proceed to the rear of the church with the large Crucifix.

When he starts down the main aisle, that is the signal for the family

representatives to go to the rear of the church. A member of the

funeral ministry will be at the table to present the gifts to the family

representatives. They will present the gifts to the Priest. He will

bless the family representatives. They should bow and then return

to their seats.

12

Our Wish for You . . .

Dear Bereaved Family,

It is our hope that the family members chosen to participate in

your loved one’s Funeral Liturgy will find this a memorable experience.

It has been an honor and a privilege for our ministry to assist

your family at this time of sorrow.

Peace be with you and yours,

Holy Cross Funeral Ministry

Holy Cross Catholic Church

Batavia, IL

For more information about this Ministry please contact the Holy Cross

Catholic Church Parish Office 630.879.4750

13

PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the

dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” (2 Maccabees 12:46)

Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by St. Gertrude the Great

According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great was told by Our

Lord that the following prayer, each time she piously recited it,

would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering

in purgatory:

“Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy

Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout

the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sin-

ners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for

those in my own home, and in my family. Amen.”

“Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every im-

perfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete,

and indeed this is precisely what is meant by the Church's teach-

ing on purgatory. The term does not indicate a place, but a condi-

tion of existence. Those who, after death, exist in a state of purifi-

cation, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them

the remnants of imperfection (cf. Ecumenical Council of Florence,

Decretum pro Graecis: DS 1304; Ecumenical Council of Trent,

Decretum de iustificatione: DS 1580; Decretum de purgato-

rio: DS 1820).”

(From Pope St. John Paul II at the General Audience of Wednes-

day, 4 August 1999)

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

14

Holy Cross Catholic Church Holy Cross Funeral Ministry

2300 Main Street Batavia, Illinois 60510-7625

(630) 879-4750

Jesus, I trust in You.

15