Rite of Christian Burial

The loss of one you love is a heavy cross to bear. You can be assured of the prayers and sympathy of St. Callistus’ Parish Family. It is our desire to assist you with all the arrangements for the funeral. And the Lord is also present to you at this time for “He comforts us in all our sorrows.”

Arranging a Catholic Funeral

It is advisable that you contact a Priest even before releasing your loved one’s remains to a funeral director. You should contact the Priest before making any arrangements with a funeral home.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)

A Wake Service?

A Wake is an ancient tradition of gathering family and friends during the Vigil, or evening, prior to the celebration of the Mass of Resurrection. Wakes are normally conducted at the home of the deceased or at the Funeral Home. The venue is your choice. A priest or a lay minister is usually available to conduct a Prayer Vigil. The funeral rites begin as soon as the body arrives at the Church door.

The Mass of Resurrection

SYMBOLS: The focus of this liturgical celebration is the dignity of Christian death. The church wishes to remind all the faithful that Christian burials are celebrated in the Church for baptized Christians. That is why the pall, which represents the purity of Baptism, is spread over the casket, and the holy water representing the water of Baptism which the deceased was bathed in, is used to bless the body and the coffin. (The Paschal Candle reminding us of the Light of Faith given in Baptism), the Crucifix (reminding us of Christ’s Passion and Death on the Cross), and the Bible (the Word of God given to all believers): Family members are invited to assist the priest in placing these symbols during the Mass. It therefore makes a mockery of the sacrament of Baptism to perform these rites with these signs and symbols over the body of an unbaptized person just for the sake of being “friendly and accommodating.” These rites are benefits for the baptized.

SERVICE TIMES: The Mass of Resurrection may be celebrated on any day and at any time between Monday and Friday BUT on Saturdays, the Mass must begin no later than 7:00 A.M. because of Confession and Vigil Mass in the evening.

MUSIC: Our Musician at St. Callistus is normally available to play and sing for a funeral. If you have an outside musician or soloist, they are welcome but they must coordinate with the president of the choir or his delegate. A Catholic funeral emphasizes the joy of new life with the Lord, the beauty of Resurrection, and the Hope of Eternal Life. Hymns should reflect this spirit.

REMARKS: If you wish, a family member may offer some personal remarks or offer a word of thanks at the conclusion of the Interment. At this time, we do not have Ministers of non-Catholic Churches participate during the Mass. They may offer words during the Wake or at the Rite of Committal.

PROGRAMS: If the family desires a printed program, we ask that you obtain a correct Order of Service from the Priest. Before printing the program, please allow the Priest to see the draft for any necessary corrections to the Liturgical order.

CONTACT PERSON: We ask that ONE family member be designated as the Contact Person for the Church. If anyone wishes to do something at the funeral, the Contact Person will make those arrangements with the Priest.

OFFERINGS: Stole fee for funeral is gratefully taken. Check should be made payable to St. Callistus Catholic Church. The fee for the musician is negotiated directly with the musician.