Funerals
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Please contact the priest before confirming any arrangements with your funeral home.
Planning a Catholic Funeral (Mass of Christian Burial)
These OLPH GUIDELINES have been established to assist you in this delicate preparation. We are available to answer questions.
Very Rev. Michael L. Thompson, SSJ, Pastor
Email: st_mike@hotmail.com
Website: www.olphsedc.com
Email: info@olphsedc.com
Deacons: Ira Chase, Thomas Jones and Timothy Tilghman
Doris H. Savoy, Assistant
OLPH Lazarus Bereavement Ministry
Home 202-610-3751 | Cell 202-352-8230
Home Fax 202-610-0016
Email: dsavoy0642@aol.com
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church
1600 Morris Road, SE | Washington, DC 20020
Phone 202-678-4999 | Fax 202-610-3189
Death of a loved one is the most profound event in the life of any family. Whether death is sudden or followed by a prolonged illness, the church is here to help you prepare the Catholic Rite for a funeral and to pray with you during this difficult time.
The bereaved grieve in their own ways, according to their own schedules. We all have different ways of grieving rooted in our own life experiences and our relationship with the deceased.
The Funeral Liturgy Planning should involve family members through the selection of Scripture Readings, Music, placing of the pall, and presenting the gifts of bread and wine.
The Funeral Liturgy is the first step toward burial, followed by the procession to the final resting place of the deceased and interment. Thus, once the casket is closed, it ordinarily remains closed for the funeral and burial.
Why do we celebrate a funeral?
Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanks-giving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.
The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God’s merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. Two important things we do for the dead: turn them over to God (and by correlation, we do not cling to them or to their earthly accomplishments) and we (note the word) plead on behalf of them.
The funeral Mass is central, because in it, we affirm unity across the divide
of death. At the funeral rites, especially at the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession.
At the rite of final commendation and farewell, the community acknowledges the reality of separation and commends the deceased to God. In this way it recognizes the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaims its belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where death will be no more.
The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God’s mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis.
Guidelines for the Funeral Program for a Mass of Christian Burial
Front Cover: Who, What, When, Where, Photo
INTRODUCTORY RITES: Closing of Casket, Placing of Pall (ordinarily by members of the family), Sprinkling with Holy Water, Placing of Christian Symbols
Inside Front Cover: Left Side – Order of Service
CALL TO WORSHIP
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
OPENING PRAYER
LITURGY OF THE WORD
1 st reading (taken from Old Testament)
Responsorial Psalm
2 nd Reading (New Testament)
Alleluia
Gospel
Homily (Priest or Deacon)
OFFERTORY HYMN
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS (Family may participate)
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer
Communion Rite
Eucharistic Ministers
COMMUNION HYMN
MEDITATION HYMN
CLOSING PRAYER
FINAL COMMENDATION
RECESSIONAL HYMN
Inside Front Cover: Right Side – The Obituary
Back Page: Musician(s), Soloist(s), Pallbearers, Interment, Funeral Home Information, Location of Repast
BEFORE PRINTING THE PROGRAM, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY FOR REVIEW BY THE PRIEST OFFICIATING.
Guidelines for a SCRIPTURE/MEMORIAL SERVICE
Introductory Rites (Closing of the casket, Placing of the Pall, the Book and Cross)
Call to Worship
Processional Hymn
Opening Prayer
Scripture Readings:
1 st Reading
Responsorial Psalm
2 nd Reading
Alleluia
Gospel
Hymn
Homily
Meditation Hymn
General Intercessions - Lord Hear Our Prayers
Musical Selection
Lord's Prayer - Sing or Recite
Closing Prayer
Final Commendation
Closing Hymn
Inside Front Cover: Right Side – The Obituary
Back Page: Musician(s), Soloist(s), Pallbearers, Interment, Funeral Home Information, Location of Repast
BEFORE PRINTING THE PROGRAM, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY FOR REVIEW BY THE PRIEST or DEACON OFFICIATING.
MUSIC FOR MASS
It is RECOMMENDED that you use the OLPH Minister(s) of Music. If OLPH musicians are not available, the church will select the musician. Suggested hymns are included herewith. Please note the song Ave Maria is appropriate at any time other than Communion and Meditation. The Lord’s Prayer is NEVER appropriate to do as a solo. Final selections for music are to be reviewed by the Priest Officiating.
PROCESSIONAL/OPENINGBlessed Assurance #431 What a Friend We Have In Jesus #361 361Pass Me Not #767 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms #592
The Strife Is O’er #308 O God Our Help In Ages Past #560
In the Garden #425OFFERTORY/PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND GIFTS
How Great Thou Art #405 Amazing Grace #495
My Faith Looks Up To Thee #514 Instrumental OnlyCOMMUNION
I Am The Bread of Life #755 Taste and See #750
MEDITATION
Amazing Grace #495 You Satisfy the Hungry Hearts #757
Surrender All #616 Sweet Hour of Prayer #517
His Eye Is On The Sparrow #557 Great Is Thy Faithfulness #492
Precious Lord #780 My Faith Looks Up To Thee #514
It Is Well With My Soul #569 Softly &Tenderly Jesus Is Calling #769
RECESSIONAL/CLOSING
Soon and Very Soon #691 Leaning On The Everlasting Arms #592
I’ll Fly Away #709 Victory Is Mine #777
Glory, Glory Hallelujah #389 When We All Get To Heaven #715
Pass Me Not #767 Come We That Love The Lord #706Some hymns, as noted, may be used in more than one place in the Mass.
MUSIC MINISTERS
Donation is based on the musician’s request and their preference is in cash.
Dehrric Richburg 301-583-8356
Rawn Harbor 510-406-3063
George Stewart 240-401-4904
SOLOISTSDonation is based on the soloist’s request and their preference is in cash.
Debra Tidwell 202-889-8944
Barbara Johnson 202-246-6050 Cell 202-269-1373
Mary Johnson 301-423-4637 Work 202-663-0441 use 240-289-3393
Donna Stewart-Moore 301-805-5024 Cell 301-873-5297
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE WORD OF GOD BOOKLET, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.