Funeral Planning

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Matthew 5:4

When someone you love dies, there are many decisions to make. You don’t need to know every detail before reaching out. St. Joseph Parish can help you plan the funeral liturgy and pray for your loved one with the support of the Church.

In a Catholic funeral, we commend the person who has died to God’s mercy and find hope in Christ’s Resurrection. Whether you’re making arrangements now or planning ahead, the parish can help you understand the next steps.

When a Loved One Has Died

Start with the Parish and Your Funeral Home

Call the parish office and let us know whom the arrangements are for and which funeral home is assisting your family. You don’t need to have everything decided before calling.

  1. Coordinate the date and time. Ask your funeral director to coordinate with the parish before you announce funeral arrangements.
  2. Talk through the next steps. Parish staff will help with the funeral liturgy. Let us know about any wishes your loved one shared, cemetery plans, or questions about cremation.
Find a local funeral home

Planning Together

Preparing for the Funeral

The Catholic funeral gives family and friends a way to pray for their loved one and find comfort in Christ’s promise of eternal life. The parish will guide you through the liturgy and the choices involved.

Readings, Music & Family Participation

Bring any Scripture or sacred music preferences to your conversation with parish staff. They can help you choose selections appropriate for the Catholic funeral liturgy.

Ask about ways family members can participate, including proclaiming readings or bringing forward the gifts. You don’t need to assign these roles before speaking with the parish.

Explore Catholic funeral readings · USCCB

Planning Ahead

You can speak with the parish about your funeral wishes before there is an immediate need. Share those wishes with your family and funeral director, too.

The Catholic Funeral Rites

  1. The Vigil

    Often held during visitation, the vigil brings family and friends together in prayer for the person who has died.

  2. The Funeral Mass

    The central celebration of the Catholic funeral, offering prayer for the deceased and consolation through Scripture and the Eucharist.

  3. The Committal

    At the place of burial, the Church offers its final prayers as the body or cremated remains are laid to rest.

Laying Your Loved One to Rest

Burial & Cremation

The Catholic Church permits cremation while preferring burial of the body. When cremation is chosen, the Church encourages the Funeral Mass to take place with the body present before cremation.

Cremated remains should be treated with the same dignity as the body and buried or entombed in a sacred place. They should not be scattered, kept at home, or divided among family members as keepsakes.

St. Joseph Cemetery

If your family has a cemetery plot or needs help with burial arrangements, let the parish and funeral director know.

Find information about purchasing a plot, cemetery deeds, grave locations, and other burial questions on our cemetery page.

Explore St. Joseph Cemetery

Support After a Loss

St. Joseph and St. Mary Parishes offer GriefShare, a support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Learn about bereavement support.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Parish staff will help your family select Scripture readings and sacred music appropriate for the funeral liturgy. Favorite poems or other nonbiblical texts cannot replace the Scripture readings, and secular songs should be reserved for gatherings outside the liturgy.

  • Family members may be able to proclaim readings or bring forward the gifts. Discuss these roles with parish staff before assigning them. Readers at Mass are ordinarily Catholic, and the parish can help your family understand the requirements.

  • The Funeral Mass centers on prayer for the deceased and Christ’s Resurrection. Personal stories and words of remembrance are best shared during visitation, at the vigil, or during the funeral luncheon. Parish staff can help you plan an appropriate opportunity.

  • Yes. St. Joseph offers funeral luncheons so family and friends can gather after the funeral. Let the parish office know if you’re interested, and staff can discuss availability and arrangements with you.

  • Yes. The Church permits cremation while preferring that the body be present for the Funeral Mass before cremation. If cremation has already taken place, contact the parish to discuss the funeral rites and arrangements for burial or entombment.

  • Cremated remains should be treated with the same respect as the body and buried or entombed in a sacred place. They should not be scattered or kept at home. The parish can help you discuss suitable arrangements.

  • Please coordinate the date with the parish and your funeral director before announcing arrangements. Church availability and the liturgical calendar affect scheduling; Funeral Masses cannot be celebrated on certain holy days and during particular observances.

  • Contact the parish office for current funeral offerings and any applicable charges. Your funeral director can explain funeral-home expenses, while the parish can answer questions about cemetery fees and luncheon arrangements.

  • Please call the parish office and explain your family’s situation. The parish can discuss the circumstances and help you understand the next steps.

Ask a Question About Funeral Planning

Planning ahead or have a general question? Use the form to contact the parish.

If a loved one has died or your request is time-sensitive, please call 419-447-5848.