Having your final wishes prepared for your loved ones eases the uncertainty many families face when a death occurs. When a death occurs, many decisions need to be made. When you combine that with grief and shock it can be an overwhelming time for families. Talking with your families and loved ones ahead of time can aleviate many of the questions they may have in an effort to honor your final wishes. This can open the door for many family conversations. Any part you can complete ahead of time will help when families gather to finalize the arrangements. Preplanning is the best gift you can give your family.
                          There is no cost to visit the parish and have your funeral plan on file.
 

Funeral Celebrations at a Catholic Church happen either within a Mass or outside of a Mass setting.  Both types of celebratons will include music and scripture readings, options to have your family members and friends involved in the celebration, and may or may not have the remains of your loved one present either in a casket or in an urn.  At Sacred Heart, the Funeral Coordinators work closely with the family members to create a celebration that is meaningful to those who will gather with you, and which honors both our Christian identity and the personal legacy your loved one leaves to all of us.  You can also "pre-plan" some aspects of the funeral liturgy for yourself or a loved one while they are still living or still active.  This is a great way to ensure that decisions are not made in haste or when emotions cause instability in family relationships.  We are here to help however we can!

• Readings at funerals are to be from the Bible. These readings have been specifically chosen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to bring comfort, peace, and hope.  Poems and letters may be read only during the Remembrance at the end of the celebration, not during the Liturgy of the Word.  We encourage you to bring any ideas you have to your meeting with the Care Ministry Coordinator.

  Old Testament - 1st Reading

  • C-1: 2 Maccabees 12:43-46 "He made atonement for the dead"
  • C-2: Job 19: 1, 23-27a "I know that my vindicator lives"
  • C-3: Wisdom 3:1-9 "The souls of the just are in the hand of God" (Long)
  • C-3: Wisdom 3:1-6,9 "The souls of the just are in the hand of God" (Short)
  • C-4: Wisdom 4:7-14 "An unsullied life, the attainment of old age"
  • C-5: Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 "He will destroy death forever"
  • C-6: Lamentations 3:17-26 "My portion is the Lord, says my soul"
  • C-7: Daniel 12:1-3 "The wise shall shine brightly"

  New Testament - 1st Reading during Easter Season

  • C-8: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 "Everyone who believes in Him" (Long)
  • C-8: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-36,42-43 "Everyone who believes in Him" (Short)
  • C-9: Revelation 14:13 "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"
  • C-10: Revelation 20:11-12:1 "The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades"
  • C-11: Revelation 21:1-5a,6b-7 "I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem"

  New Testament - 2nd Reading

  • E-1:  Romans 5:1,5-11  "...We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son..." 
  • E-2:  Romans 5:17-21  "...through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all..." 
  • E-3:  Romans 6:3-9  "...if we have died with Christ, we believe..." (Long)
  • E-3:  Romans 6:3-4,8-9  "...if we have died with Christ, we believe,,,"  (Short)
  • E-4:  Romans 8:14-23  "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God"
  • E-5:  Romans 8:31b-35,37-39  "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
  • E-6:  Romans 14:7-9,10c-12  "This is why Christ died and came to life"
  • E-7:  1 Corinthians 15:20-28  "In Adam all die, so too if Christ shall all be brought to life." (Long)
  • E-7:  1 Corinthians 15:20-23  "In Adam all die, so too if Christ shall all be brought to life." (Short)
  • E-8:  1 Corinthians 15:51-57  "Death where is your victory?"
  • E-9:  2 Corinthians 4:14--5:1  "The one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us..."
  • E-10: 2 Corinthians 5:1,6-10  "We would rather leave the body and go home..." 
  • E-11: Philippians 3:20-21   "He will change our lowly body..."
  • E-12: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   "If we believe that Jesus died and rose..."
  • E-13: 2 Timothy 2:8-13  "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead..." 
  • E-14: 1 John 3:1-2  "Beloved, we are God's children now..."
  • E-15: 1 John 3:14-16   "We know that we have passed from death to life..."

  Gospel

  • G-1:  Matthew 5:1-12a  "The Eight Beatitudes" 
  • G-2:  Matthew 11:25-30  "come to me . . . and I will give you rest." 
  • G-3:  Matthew 25:1-13  "Look. The bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him" 
  • G-4:  Matthew 25:31-46  "Come, you whom my Father has blessed" 
  • G-5:  Mark 15:33 ---16:6 "Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last"  (Long)
  • G-5:  Mark 15:33-39  "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  (Short)
  • G-6:  Luke 7:11-17 "Young man, I say to you, arise." 
  • G-7:  Luke 12:3-40  "Be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,..." 
  • G-8:  Luke 23:33-43  "Today you will be with me in paradise."
  • G-9:  Luke 23:44 -24:6a  "Father, I put my life in your hands."  (Long)
  • G-9:  Luke 23:44-46,50,52-53  "Father into your hands I commend my spirit" (Short)
  • G-10: Luke 24:13-35  "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer..."  (Long)
  • G-10: Luke 24:13-16,28-35  "Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer..."  (Short)
  • G-11: John 5:24-29  "Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from..."
  • G-12: John 6:37-40  "All who believe in the Son will have eternal life..." 
  • G-13: John 6:51-59  "All who eat this bread will live for ever...." 
  • G-14: John 11:17-27  "I am the resurrection and the life."  (Long)
  • G-14: John 11:21-27  "I am the resurrection and the life."  (Short)
  • G-15: John 11:32-45  "Lazarus, come out." 
  • G-16: John 12:23-28  "If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies..."  (Long)
  • G-16: John 12:23-26  "If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies..."  (Short)
  • G-17: John 14:1-6  "There are many rooms in my Father's house." 
  • G-18: John 17:24-26  "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me..." 
  • G-19: John 19:17-18,25-39  "Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirits."

• Sometimes family members feel overwhelmed with the amount of tasks and decisions that are required after a loved one passes away, and it can be daunting to attempt to manage everything alone.  We encourage you to think about the gifts and talents of those who were close to your loved one, and people you trust to help you process information and feel confident about decisions. Your loved ones can arrange pictures onto posterboards, create a slide show, create a worship aid containing the order of the service, greet guests, read a Scripture reading, serve as a Eucharistic Minister or Musician, or any number of other roles within the service.  We are here to help you navigate this entire process, not just the aspects of the liturgical celebration, but also in dealing with funeral homes, cemeteries, and grieving family members who want to be helpful.

Preplanning is the best gift
you can give your family.

A life well lived is a precious gift, of hope and strength and grace, from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place.
It's filled with moments, sweet and sad with smiles and sometimes tears, with friendships formed and good times shared, and laughter through the years. A life well lived is a legacy, of joy and pride and pleasure, a living, lasting memory our grateful heart's will treasure.
-Author Unknown

• Life Insurance Policy
• Banking Information
• Pension
• Stocks/investments
• Bonds
• Annuitites
• Last Will and Testament
• Power of Attorney for Healthcare
• Power of Attorney for Finances
• Safe/Safety Deposit Box
  • Location / Combo
• Obituary
• Possible Memorial Fund
• Masses set up after Funeral
• Who to contact upon my death
• Who will contact the church and funeral home

• For [____], who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that she may now join in the company of the saints.  We pray...
• For our sister/brother who was nourished at the table of the Savior.  Welcome her/him into the halls of the heavenly banquet to live forever at Jesus’ side.  We pray…
• For the many friends and members of our families that have gone to everlasting life before us; grant them eternal peace and joy.  We pray...
• For the family and friends of [        ], that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.  We pray...
• {if mother/grandmother} [        ] held a deep love for her/his family; may all mothers/fathers be blessed for the limitless doors they open for their children {and grandchildren}, and for the sacrifices they make to help them learn the ways of faith.  We pray…
• That [       ] will rejoice for all eternity, sending her/his love to her/his beloved wife/husband [      ], their children [      ], and all their extended family and friends, until all of us are reunited in heaven.  We pray…
• [        ] shared her faith by example to her/his family and friends and to all who knew her/him. [INSERT EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES, SERVICE, OR MINISTRIES] May we continue to share that faith by our own example.  We pray…
• [       ] had a great love for [HOBBY, SKILL, OR CRAFT] and we are thankful that she chose to share her/his gifts with her/his community.  Grant that we will live by her example and use our own talents to serve God and God’s people.  We pray...
• {if military service, or adapt for political office} For all those who have served our country in the military, for those currently serving in active duty, for those who died to preserve our freedoms, and for all those whose ongoing pain and loss is known only to God.  We pray…
• {if long illness} For all those who stayed by her/his side and cared for her/him as she/he struggled with [MEDICAL CONDITION], and for all caregivers, doctors, nurses, and those who provided spiritual healing.  We pray…
• {if death was sudden or unexpected, or for any family situation} For all of us who are in pain from such a sudden loss, as we seek to understand the will of God and manage the wide range of emotions that come with our grief; may God’s loving embrace surround us securely, with comfort and peace.  We pray...
   

The music selections listed in the Planning Guide below and at the end of the Scripture list are meant to get you thinking, they are by no means an exhaustive list of appropriate music.  Any Liturgical Music may be used, and any favorite songs that your loved one or you felt were meaningful to you that are not liturgical may potentially still be played as a prelude or at the end, or at gatherings following the liturgical celebration.  The Care Minister/Deacon will help you to choose appropriate selections for all parts of the ceremony.