Funeral Planning

Planning Your Loved One's Funeral

It is our privilege to be here for your family during this difficult time. You and all your loved ones are in our prayers and hearts. Planning the ceremony for remembrance and Christian Burial can be a difficult process, but we hope it will also be a time for you to look for comfort and reflection in Christ, his Mass and his Scriptures. Below, please find links to the Readings we recommend you select from for your Funeral Mass as well as a list of suggested songs and a planning aid. Know you can always reach out to our pastoral minister, Debbie Marcil, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. further guidance.

Planning Guide

This Document will help outline the items of scripture and music you may select for your loved one's ceremony. There is also information about additional considerations surrounding the ceremony.

Funeral Planning Worksheet

Funeral Music

We will strive to find an appropriate place for any music you cherish in your loved one’s memory. Of course, during the Rite of Christian Burial or any Memorial Service, sacred music from our hymnal is a natural place to start. You may select from these suggestions, or you may use this list for inspiration. Your favorites from your own prayer and worship life will also be lovely additions to the ceremony.

2025 Funeral Music Suggestions

 

First Reading

Choose from among the following Old Testament Readings for your First Reading.
Click the summary to view the full passage. 

  1. Job 19:1, 23-27a.
    My inmost being is consumed with longing. We long to see God. 
  2. Wisdom 3: 1-9
    The souls of the just are in peace. We belong to God.
  3. Wisdom 3 (Short Form)
    The souls of the just are in peace. We Belong to God.
  4. Wisdom 4:7-15
    The just man...shall be at rest. The just man is pleasing to God.
  5. Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9
    The Lord God will wipe away all our tears. We have found the Lord.
  6. Lamentations 3: 17-26
    The souls of the just are in peace. We belong to God.
  7. Daniel 12: 1-3
    The wise will shine brightly. We trust in the Lord.
  8. Maccabees 12: 43-46
    A splendid reward awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness. Blessed are the godly.
  9. Proverbs 31: 10-31
    When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls, bringing goodness all her days.
  10. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
    There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Old Testament Readings 1 - 9 Compilation

 

Second Reading

Choose from among the following New Testament Readings for your Second Reading.

Click the summary to view the full passage. 

  1. Acts of the Apostles 10: 34-43
    God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. We have peace in Christ.
  2. Acts of the Apostles 10"34 -36, 42-43 
    He proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord. We have peace in Jesus.
  3. Romans 5: 5-11
    The love of God has been poured out into our hearts. The love of God fills our hearts. 
  4. Romans 5: 17- 21
    The abundance of grace....through the one Jesus Christ. There is an abundance of grace in the Lord.
  5. Romans 6: 3-9
    We shall also be united with him in the resurrection.. We have life in Christ Jesus .
  6. Romans 6 (Short Form)
    The Souls of the just...are in peace. We Belong to God.
  7. Romans 8: 14-23
    Those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. We are the children of God.
  8. Romans 8: 31b-35, 37-39
    What will separate us from the love of God? We are filled with the love of Christ.
  9.  Romans 14: 7-9, 10c-12
    Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. We belong to the Lord.
  10. Corinthians 15: 20-28
    For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life.
    10b.) Corinthians 15: 20-23
    For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life.
  11. Corinthians 15: 51-57
    Where, O death, is your sting? In God we have eternal Life.
  12. 2 Corinthians 5: 1, 6-10 
    For we walk by faith, not by sight.  
  13. Philippians 3: 20-21
    Our citizenship is in heaven. Our home is in Heaven.
  14. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
    We shall always be with the Lord.
  15. 2 Timothy 2: 8 -13
    If we have died with him, we shall also live with him. We shall live in Christ. 
  16. 1 John 3: 1-2
    Beloved, we are God's children now. We are God's children.
  17. 1 John 3: 14-16
    We have passed from death to life. We love others as he has loved us.
  18. Revelation 14:13
    Let the dead find rest from their labors. We will find peace in the Lord.
  19. Revelation 20: 11-21:1
    Then I saw a new heaven and new earth. We await the new earth and heaven.
  20. Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
    Behold, I make all things new. He will wipe away every tear.

New Testament Readings Compilation

 

Gospels

Choose from among the following Gospel Readings for your Gospel.

Click the summary to view the full passage. 

  1. Matthew 5: 1-12a
    Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn.
  2. Matthew 11:25-30
    My yoke is easy, and my burden light. We will find rest in Christ Jesus.
  3. Matthew 25: 1-13
    Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
  4. Matthew 25: 31- 46
    Whatever you do to another, you do it for Me.
  5. Mark 15: 33-39, 16: 1-6
    He has been raised, he is not here. Jesus has been raised from the dead.
  6. Mark 15: 33 - 39
    Truly this man was the Son of God. This man Jesus is the Son of God.
  7. Luke 7:11 - 17
    God has visited his people. Jesus walks among us.
  8. Luke 12: 35 - 40
    Light your lamps and await your master's return. We must watch for the Lord's coming. 
  9. Luke 23: 33, 39 - 43
    Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 
  10. Luke 23: 44 - 46. 52 - 53, 24: 1- 6a
    Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
  11. Luke 23: 44 - 46, 50, 52-53
    Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
  12. Luke 12: 13 -35
    Were not our hearts burning within us? Our hearts are alive in Christ.
  13. Luke 24: 13 -16, 28 - 35
    Were not our hearts burning within us? Our hearts are alive in Christ.
  14. John 6: 37 - 40
    I shall raise him on the last day. We shall be raised on the last day.
  15. John 6: 51 - 58
    Whoever eats this bread will live forever. The Body and Blood of Christ is life eternal.
  16. John 11: 17-27
    Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We will rise again on the last day.
  17. John 11: 21 - 27
    Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We will rise again on the last day.
  18. John 11: 32 - 35
    If you believe, you will see the glory of God. We will rise again on the last day.
  19. John 12: 23 - 28
    Where Jesus is, there also will my servant be. The Son of Man is glorified in us.
  20. John 12: 23 -26
    Where Jesus is, there also will my servant be. The Son of Man is glorified in us.
  21. John 14: 1-6
    Let not your hearts be troubled. I will go and prepare a place for you.
  22. John 17: 24 - 26
    That the love of the Father and the Son will be in us. We have the love of God in our hearts. 

Gospels Compilation

 

Petitions

The petitions or prayers of the faithful may be read by one or several of your loved ones. If you would prefer the presider may also read them. We can adjust them to be personal and prayerful to your family. 

Standard Petitions Format