Planning a funeral Mass

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I will have to do this at some point, and thought it would be good to find out about it before I have to.

Like, I just found out about funeral cards or Mass cards for funerals?

So I know I can arrange the Mass with the priest. And get food for afterwards.

And what else do I need to know?
 
You need to make sure that your family knows your wishes, and is aware of any arrangements you have in place already.

Someone at your church would gladly go over any hymns you may request or anything else for your mass. Just make a call to the office and tell them what kind of help you need.

Your funeral director will also be more than willing to help you arrange things and coordinate with your parish.
 
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This page at the USCCB site provides an excellent overview of the conduct of the Catholic funeral (or memorial) Mass. With many links for additional information such as permissible readings, etc. A good starting point for your learning about it.

http://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/bereavement-and-funerals/index.cfm

If you’ll read it over, that will give you a good idea of your parish’s guidelines when it is time to sit down with them. Most parishes have a separate bereavement minister who will work with you on the format and the content of the Mass.

Yes I have heard of people who wanted specific readings read at their funerals. This is of course subject to guidelines if this is a Catholic Mass.
 
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The priests in my parish are rather busy. So they have a lay minister to handle the details with the families.
 
Yes, I think that it depends on the size of the parish. A tiny parish might have the priest doing many jobs that are given out to others in a ministry.

@Zzyzx_Road, thanks for the link, I have bookmarked it.
 
Wow, it’s not mine I am planning. Hopefully Iij will have time to plan mine later though!

Thanks so letting me know that someone at the church should be able to help!

@(name removed by moderator)
 
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I’m sorry! It sounded like it was for you, lol!

Anyway, it is still the same, except maybe ask the person it is for what they would like.
 
This is great, it’s like a list of things to do!
 
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Thank you very much for this information and the information about headstones and all.
 
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Yeah, this is kind of sudden, but now that I have a will and paper that says who is going to decide medically, I suppose I ought to plan the funeral.

But I hope it will be a while before all that is needed!
 
We paid for the funeral and plots with a headstone a while ago. We still need to plan the readings and any music. I specifically said closed casket and no wake, since I’ve never liked them. Everything is expensive enough with putting people through looking at me when I’m dead. I’d rather they use the money for something else. My wife and kids can have a private viewing if they desire. One of the women in our parish office helps plan the readings and music. I just need to get it done.
 
What I have been told is that the will is useless for specifying funeral and burial details.

The last will and testament is something that is unsealed and read after the deceased is buried and the family is gathered together.

So burial and funeral specs are best kept on file with a loved one and your pastor, who will be involved with these things.
 
Even better if you can pay for it in advance and pick out exactly what you desire. It saves your family from making emotional choices in a hurry.
 
I agree it is better to have it all done prior! That is on my list of things to do and now since I have the time…I shall begin. I will also feel more at peace…
 
The priest and the funeral home will help you with the planning when it is time, or alternatively you can usually make pre-arrangements with both.

There’s really no need to study up on it beforehand, unless like I said you wish to make pre-arrangements.
 
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Buying a gravesite can be done inexpensively on the secondary market, but much of the costs will be in the opening of the grave and the casket, vault and embalming and other preparation processes. The secondary market exists because of people buying gravesites, then moving away, or remarried and being buried with their new spouse.
 
Do you know how to sell a plot on the secondary market? I have inherited 3 plots I don’t need. The cemetery will not buy them from me.
 
It can vary from state to state. I would search online for how to do it in your state. The cemetery will likely not buy it, but will have to be involved in the transfer.
 
Around here, there are classified listings in the Catholic diocesan newspaper all the time.
 
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