Guidelines for the Family Planning a Funeral
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
4101 Norbeck Rd.
Rockville, MD 20853
301/924-2285
The loss of a loved one is a most painful time for a family.
The priests of St. Patrick’s want to be present for you to offer our support
and to celebrate a beautiful, Holy Mass of Christian Burial.
It is our hope that the guidelines, readings and prayers in this booklet will assist you in planning
the Mass of Christian Burial.
Deceased: _____________________________________________________________
Wake Service: Yes____ No____
Date: ___________________ Time: ____________________
The wake service is held at the funeral home on the eve of the Mass of Christian Burial. The service lasts about 15 minutes and consists of a Vigil Service, which includes Scripture Reading, Psalms, Prayers and a short talk by the Priest, or the recitation of the Rosary.
Mass of Christian Burial:
Date: ___________________ Time: ____________________
Music: Yes____ No____
Mrs. Alberta Sugg – 301/871-7065
Call for an appointment and she will assist you in selecting music that is appropriate for a funeral. She can also recommend and arrange for a vocalist (male or female) to enhance the beauty and feeling of the service. Should you wish an additional musical instrument, such as violin, this can be arranged. Mrs. Sugg will also provide you with information regarding the customary fees of vocalists and musicians.
We encourage participation in the Liturgy in the following:
Family places pall over coffin? Yes ____ No _____
Placing of Bible and crucifix on the casket: (at the beginning of Mass)
Name: _____________________________________________________________ (Bible)
Name: _____________________________________________________________ (crucifix)
In planning a funeral Mass, you are invited to select one reading from each of the following categories; Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament, and Gospel. A priest or deacon always reads the Gospel. The responsorial psalm is generally sung; you may discuss this selection with the organist, Alberta Sugg. You should select readers for the Old and New Testament readings, as well as the intercessory prayers. If you prefer not to select your own readers, please notify the priest and he will advise the Arimatheans to do the readings. This package contains suggested readings, in each of the categories, for a funeral Mass.
In addition, there you will need to select six intercessory prayers from the list on the last page, or you may write some of your own.
After reviewing these readings, use the guide below to identify your selections and readers:
Scripture Reference: __________________ Reader:_____________________________________________
Psalm Reference ______________
Scripture Reference _________________ Reader:_______________________________________________
Scripture Reference _________________
5. Intercessions - prayers of the faithful (page E): check selected prayers
Reader _______________________________________________________________
We encourage participation in the Liturgy in the following:
Gift Bearers: (family, children, etc.)
1. ___________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________
Please note:
In order to acknowledge the personal life of the deceased, we ask that a biographical summary of his or her life be written out and presented to the priest so that he may make his homily more personal.
This sheet (Page A) should be given to the priest no later than at the Wake.
Eulogy: Many families prefer that no eulogy be added to the Sacred Liturgy and the Church concurs in discouraging them. Archdiocesan guidelines suggest that if the family desires a eulogy, that only one presentation be made. If a friend or family member wishes to speak, we suggest it always be written out and be no longer than three minutes in length. This would occur after Communion.