Funeral Guidelines

If you are visiting this page due to the loss of a loved one, please accept our sincere condolences. Please see the following guidelines to assist you while making arrangements for a Mass of Christian Burial.

• Offering some personal reflections or memories of your loved one at the funeral home during the wake or at the conclusion of the prayers at the cemetery is very appropriate; thank you for understanding that a “eulogy” is not permitted in the church. There are no exceptions.

• The celebration of a Catholic funeral or a Mass of Christian Burial presupposes a burial is to take place. Please note: Cremains must be buried in a cemetery following the funeral Mass or ASAP. (For Catholics, the remains of a loved one cannot be distributed, remain on a mantle, or scattered.)

 Readings:

Click on the links below to view the reading selections appropriate for Mass of Christian Burial.

• New Testament Funeral Readings

• Old Testament Funeral Readings

• *Easter Season Funeral Readings

1.      You may choose 1 or 2 Scripture readings for the Funeral Mass; if you are choosing only 1 reading, your choice can be either from the Old Testament or the New Testament

2.      If you are choosing 2 readings, then the 1st reading comes from the Old Testament and the 2nd reading from the New Testament. *During the Easter Season, the 1st reading must be taken from the Acts of the Apostles (see Easter Season Funeral Readings link above).

3.      You may choose a family member/friend who is a Catholic in good standing to read the Scripture readings at the Funeral Mass. If no family member/friend of the family is capable of or comfortable with reading, the priest will proclaim the readings himself or select another to do so.

4.      The priest will choose the Gospel reading for the Funeral Mass, unless you have a strong preference on a particular Gospel that you would like him to consider.

5.      The Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) will be read by the priest.

• To discuss particular music selections for the Funeral Mass, please consult with our cantor, Mrs. Rebecca McComb at 401-624-8746; otherwise she will make selections that are very appropriate for the Funeral Mass. Only church hymns/music are allowed for the Funeral Mass. Only our parish musicians may be used at St. Theresa and St. Christopher.

• Flowers are welcome to be brought into the Church to adorn the Altar, except during the Holy Season of Lent; during Lent, there can be no Altar decorations to reflect the somber and penitential nature of the Lenten Season.

• We are happy to assist you with any other questions or concerns; please telephone the Parish Office at 401-624-8746.