Funeral Liturgy Guide
Planning the Mass of Christian Burial
This guide has been prepared to assist you in planning the Mass of Christian Burial for your loved one. By choosing your own Scripture readings, responsorial psalms, intercessions and music, you may share more fully in the liturgy and express your care and love for your deceased family member. Please be assured of our prayers and concern for you, from the staff and your parish family, during this time of loss and sorrow.
Visiting Priests
Visiting priests are welcome to preside or concelebrate a funeral Mass at St. Francis Xavier, but please remember to consult the visiting priest for availability BEFORE arranging a Mass time, either personally or through the funeral home. One of our priests also needs to be contacted so your wishes are communicated and can be accommodated when possible.
Introductory Rites
After the body has been blessed with holy water, a white cloth, or “pall,” is placed over the casket. This cloth symbolizes the baptismal garment of our Catholic faith. Family members are encouraged to participate in this ritual, however the funeral director will do this on behalf of the family if it is too difficult or too emotional of a task at this time. Family members may choose the option of placing a Christian symbol on top of the casket during the Mass. A favorite cross, rosary, Bible or prayer book of the deceased – something that was important to their life of faith – would be most appropriate.
Liturgy of the Word
Family members or friends of the family are encouraged to proclaim the readings from Scripture at the funeral Mass. Please try to select individuals (two maximum) with clear speaking voices as the readings need to be heard and are meant to bring comfort to those who have gathered to pray. Please give your readers a copy of the selected Scripture reading so they may prepare and familiarize themselves with the reading in advance. If you wish, a deacon or priest may also proclaim the readings for you.
The first reading should be selected from the Old Testament. During the Easter season, one of the following four readings is used as a first reading instead of a passage from the Old Testament: Acts 10:34-43, Acts 10:34-36, Revelation 14:13 or Revelation 20:11-20:1.
The Psalm response is always sung at the funeral liturgy and is led by the cantor or choir.
The second reading should be chosen from the New Testament: the Epistles, Acts of the Apostles or Revelation.
The Gospel always is proclaimed by the priest or deacon.
The General Intercessions may also be read by a family member or friend.
Please call the parish at 330-725-4968 before finalizing your selections.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Family members or friends are encouraged to bring up the gifts of bread and wine at Mass while the presentation hymn is sung. Please choose two to four individuals to bring up the gifts. The servers may also bring up the gifts for you, if you prefer. Family members or friends who are commissioned Eucharistic Ministers at St. Francis Xavier Church are welcome to minister, following diocesan guidelines. However, please make arrangements with the priest prior to the beginning of Mass.
Final Commendation
Remarks of remembrance (eulogy) are no longer encouraged to be shared at Mass. Since this can be very emotional, it is strongly suggested and supported through the funeral rites that these touching remarks be shared at the wake or at the gathering after internment. Should you insist on having a eulogy at Mass, one person may take on this role, and it needs to be brief (2 to 3 minutes). Please provide the priest presiding at the Mass with a written copy of what will be said so that information/thoughts are not duplicated in the homily. Notes from the family used during the homily are usually more than sufficient to make the liturgy personal.
You may want to select a processional hymn in which the refrain is familiar to those present as the hymnals remain in the pews as everyone exits the church.
Funeral Hymns
The following music list has been chosen from the hymnals used at St. Francis Xavier Church so that everyone present may actively participate in your loved one’s liturgy. In addition, music selected should follow the liturgical season. For example, no “Alleluias” may be sung during Lent. Communion hymns should have a reference to the Eucharist. St. Francis Xavier Church follows the current Diocesan Music Guidelines, which state that “the hymns chosen should not only reflect the theme suggested by the readings from Scripture, but also the beauty, dignity and sacred character of the liturgy.” Secular music is never permitted during a liturgy but may be appropriate at the funeral home or cemetery.
If you should have any questions regarding music, please contact Carissa Young, the Director of Music at (330) 764-8959 or cyoung@sfxmedina.org.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Amazing Grace America, the Beautiful Ave Maria Be Not Afraid Be Still, My Soul Be Thou My Vision Center of My Life Christ, Be Our Light City of God Come to Me Eye Has Not Seen Faith of Our Fathers Gather the People Gather Us In Gather Your People Gift of Finest Wheat Glory and Praise to Our God Glory in the Cross God of Our Fathers | Hail, Holy Queen Hail Mary: Gentle Woman Here I Am, Lord Holy God, We Praise Thy Name Holy, Holy, Holy Hosea How Great Thou Art Humbly Lord, We Worship You I Am the Bread of Life I Have Loved You I Heard the Voice of Jesus I Know That My Redeemer Lives I Lift Up My Soul Immaculate Mary Irish Blessing Jesus, Remember Me Joyful, Joyful We Adore You Lead Me, Lord Let There Be Peace On Earth Lord of All Hopefulness | Loving and Forgiving O God, You Search Me O Lord I Am Not Worthy O Sacrament Most Holy On Eagle’s Wings One Bread, One Body One Love Released Only This I Want Prayer of Saint Francis Precious Lord, Take My Hand Shepherd Me, O God Take and Eat Taste and See The King of Love My Shepherd Is To You, O Lord We Are Many Parts We Remember We Walk By Faith You Are Near Your Words Are Spirit and Life |