Catholic Funerals
Download a Copy of the Funeral Planning Form

As you plan the funeral of your loved one, we hope that your experience will be filled with much support and care. Your participation in the planning process will allow the Parish of the Holy Eucharist to personalize the Liturgy. A Catholic funeral is structured in such a way as to invite participation by those closest to the deceased. In this way, memories are created as we fulfill the corporal work of mercy by burying the dead and the spiritual work of mercy of praying for the dead.

If you are being assisted by the service of a funeral director, the funeral director will contact the Parish of the Holy Eucharist in your behalf to schedule the funeral: wake, Mass and burial. If you have chosen cremation and are using the service of a funeral director only to arrange for the cremation, you will be in direct contact with the Parish of the Holy Eucharist.

During the work week (Monday-Friday), the Parish Secretary of the Parish of the Holy Eucharist will work with you to coordinate the funeral of your deceased loved one. On weekends and holidays, please contact the priest on call, who will work with you to coordinate the funeral. The Parish of the Hoy Eucharist’s phone number is 207-847-6890.

The customary fee for funerals within the Parish of the Holy Eucharist is $275.00. This fee includes the use of the church and the services of organist and cantor.

The Parish of the Holy Eucharist has a cemetery (Holy Cross Cemetery in Yarmouth, ME). The Parish Secretary can provide information regarding the availability of graves.

In keeping with our hope in the resurrection of the body, it is expected that cremated remains will be buried in an individual grave or columbaria. Catholic teaching urges us to reverence cremated remains just as we reverence the body.

The parish has a form to guide your planning of the funeral. You may download a copy of the form at the following link: Funeral Planning Form, or you can contact the office for a copy.


STEP 1: PROVIDING NAMES OF THOSE WHO WISH TO PLACE THE PALL ON THE CASKET (OPTIONAL CROSS AND BIBLE)
The pall is the white cloth that covers the casket during a Catholic funeral. The pall recalls the white garment worn by Catholic Christians at the time of one's baptism. It may be placed on the casket by family members or friends. A pall is not placed over cremated remains. Flags and other insignia may cover the casket before and after the liturgy. If the deceased has a personal bible and/or cross, family members or loved ones are invited to place these on the casket at the beginning of Mass

STEP 2: CHOOSING THE FIRST AND SECOND READING AND PROVIDING THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO WILL BE READING THEM DURING THE FUNERAL
The first step in planning a funeral is to choose the Scripture readings to be read as part of the Liturgy of the Word. The possible readings for the First and Second Reading are provided at the following links:
First Reading from the Old Testament (Section C)
Second Reading from the New Testament (Section E)

Using the Funeral Planning Form, you are asked to choose one option from Sections C and E and also provide the name of person who will be reading each reading. NOTE: The parish could provide parishioners who could read in the event that there is no one from the family who would like to read.

STEP 2a:  CHOOSING THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM
The Responsorial Psalm is sung by the cantor between the readings.  The three options are:
PSALM 23  The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want
PSALM 27   The Lord is my light and my salvation
PSALM 107  The Lord is Kind and Merciful

STEP 3: CHOOSING THE GOSPEL READING
The third step is to choose the Gospel reading which will be read by the priest. Choose one reading from the G section at the following link:
Gospel Reading from one of the four Gospels (Section G)


STEP 4: PROVIDING A READER FOR THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Following the homily, a family member or friend may read the General Intercessions. A copy is provided at the following link: Intercessions. NOTE: The parish could provide parishioners who could read in the event that there is no one from the family who would like to read.


STEP 5: PROVIDING 2 NAMES OF THOSE WHO WILL BRINGS THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND WINE FOR THE EUCHARIST
Bread and wine are brought to the altar for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which will be offered for the deceased.


STEP 6: CHOOSING MUSIC FOR THE CATHOLIC MASS
Work with parish musicians to choose the music sung at the Catholic funeral Mass. Please remember that all hymns and songs must reflect the sacred nature of the Catholic funeral in a Catholic Church. ​ Suggested Music


WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE (OPTIONAL)
One family member or friend may speak briefly in remembrance of the deceased and his/her life of faith, virtue and good works. The priest or deacon will introduce the person at the appropriate time. Families and friends are asked to preserve the sacred character of the Catholic Funeral, keeping in mind that the focus of a Catholic Funeral is Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. During the remarks, our praise should be directed toward God.

Once the Funeral Planning Form is completed, it is reviewed with the priest or deacon. Please inform the person celebrating the funeral if there will be any Military honors or Civic Groups present such as the Knights of Columbus, VFW or Lyons Club.