Funeral Arrangements at St. Margaret Mary

Contact a Funeral Home: 

First, select a funeral home. Let the Funeral Director know that you would like the Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church. They will coordinate with the parish office to secure dates and times for the Vigil (Rosary) and the Funeral Mass.

The Rite of Christian Burial is a sacred series of liturgies offered by the Church for the deceased. 

The Vigil Service (Rosary): 

Often held at the funeral home the night before, this is a time for the community to gather in prayer and support. 

The Funeral Mass: 

The central liturgical celebration held at the church.

The Rite of Committal: 

The final farewell at the place of interment (cemetery).

Once a date is confirmed, the parish Deacon will work with you to select:  

Scripture Readings: 

• Old Testament passages 
• Psalm passages 
• New Testament passages 

Musical Guidelines for Funerals

At St. Margaret Mary, music is a vital part of the liturgical planning process. While the parish provides support for selecting sacred hymns appropriate for the liturgy, there are specific guidelines regarding musicians:   

1. Live Musicians: Live music is welcomed, provided the musician is familiar with the requirements of a Catholic Mass.   
2. Parish Musicians: The parish has volunteer musicians available.   

• If you choose to use them, you may request their contact information from the parish office.   
• Please note that these musicians set their own individual fees.   

1. Prerecorded Music: If a live musician is not secured, prerecorded music will be utilized for the service.

Participants:

You may designate family members or friends to serve as lectors (readers), gift bearers during the Mass and pallbearers.

Entrance: The service begins with the reception of the body at the church entrance. [Entrance Song]

Blessings: The casket is sprinkled with holy water and covered with the funeral pall.

Liturgy of the Word: Includes scripture readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, and New Testament selected by the family. [Musician may sing Psalm]

Homily: A reflection given by the priest or deacon.

Prayer of the Faithful: General intercessions for the deceased and the mourning community.

[Song for Preparing Altar]

Presentation of the Gifts: Family members or friends may serve as gift bearers during this time.

Liturgy of the Eucharist: The central part of the Mass involving the consecration.

[Great Amen and Lamb of God Sung]

Communion: The distribution of the Holy Eucharist.

[Communion and Meditation Song]

Blessing of Farewell: The final commendation and commendatory prayer. [Song of Farewel]

Recession: The formal exit from the church to the place of interment. [Dismissal Song}