Planning a funeral is never easy. Grief over the loss of your loved one, coupled with the uncertainty of how to organise a liturgy in a relatively short time, can present an almost insuperable set of obstacles. The priests, deacons, and ministerial staff at Our Lady of the Lake are here to help you through this difficult time. We want to strengthen your faith in the promises of Jesus: "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day" (John 6:40).
All funerals in the Catholic Church are conducted according to the Order of Christian Funerals. This is because a Catholic funeral is an event that involves the whole Church community. While the funeral does take place according to this Order, we invite the family and loved ones of the deceased to be involved in making certain decisions about the funeral liturgy. The following information and guidelines are to help you complete the Funeral Planning Guide so that we can prepare everything for the funeral liturgy.
The Order of Christian Funerals normally includes a reading from the Old Testament, and from the New Testament, in addition to a Psalm and Gospel reading. You are free to choose from the many options that are in the Order of Christian Funerals and these are found in the sub-menu to the left, or by clicking on the blue buttons inside the Funeral Planning Guide form page you will be taken directly to the USCCB website for reading options. Please make sure that your readers use these specific texts to practice. The readings will be in a binder at the church ready to go for them.
The Director of Music & Liturgy is your contact for all music and is the only person you should speak to regarding liturgical music. If he is unavailable, a professional substitute will be procured for you. A cantor will be also engaged. There are instances in the liturgy where you have the option to choose music and we invite you to make your selection of hymns provided in this Liturgy Guide. Secular songs are not appropriate for the Mass and we encourage you to save these selections for gatherings outside of the church. A soloist will be engaged (by the Director of Music ONLY) to sing any hymns and solos chosen and will be a trained and vetted professional. The fee for the music is $350.
If you so desire, you are welcome to select family and friends to participate in some of the ministries by reading during the Liturgy of the Word, and presenting the gifts for the Eucharistic Sacrifice. There is also the option of a time for Words of Remembrance. This is not a eulogy, but a brief commentary on their Christian life.
Any flower arrangements may be delivered to the main entrance of the Sanctuary around an hour to an hour and a half before the service. It is ideal for this time frame so the Director of Music and Liturgy can be there to guide the delivery and setup. Flowers, plants, and linens currently around the altar may not be removed. During Lent it is ideal that arrangements be more modest, or perhaps just plants. The church can provide up to 3 floor easles for photographs, two small side tables for items and other flowers, and a book stand for a Guest Book. If you have further questions please reach out to the Director of Music and Liturgy directly, as he sets up the Church for each service.
The priests, deacons and ministerial staff at Our Lady of the Lake want you to know that we grieve with you, and that we share your hope in the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead, and who promises eternal life to those who believe in him.