Funerals

We are here to assist you in any way with funerals at Holy Spirit or St. Joseph's. Please know that your family and loved ones are in our prayers, especially at this time.

• COVID-19 Protocol for attending a Funeral in time of Pandemic
• Download a copy of our Funeral Liturgy Preparation Worksheet-(Mass)
• Funeral Liturgy Worksheet (Mass)- MSWord version
• Suggested funeral readings-scripture

• Pastoral Staff contacts, frequently asked questions 
• Words of Remembrance
• Special memories to be shared with the pastoral team
• Martha Ministry receptions following Funeral Masses-not available at this time
• Bereavement Ministries & Grief Support
• Suggested Music for Funerals
• Consider St. Joseph's Cemetery as a final resting place

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Funeral Liturgy

Words of Remembrance           
If you wish to have someone offer personal remarks, you may wish to think about doing this at the end of the Calling Hours at the Funeral Home. If you decide to share a few words at Church, one person may speak briefly [up to 3 minutes] after the Gathering Song at the beginning of the Mass.  Please see guidelines for preparing Words of Remembrance.

Scripture Readings & Readers            
Please select Readings for the liturgy from “Through Death To Life” booklet provided to you, or directly from the Bible. Please also select any family members and/or friends who may wish to read them at the funeral.  The Old and New Testament Readings and the Prayer of the Faithful will be placed in a book on the lectern for their convenience.  We will provide copies of the readings to you in advance of the Mass via email.

Music                   
Please use the Hymnal to choose appropriate liturgical hymns for the funeral Mass.  There is a page of suggestions in this packet, if you need it.  Occasionally, there may be a song that is not known to our music ministers and we may need to substitute a song, but we will notify you if this happens.

Musicians           
We provide you with a parish organist/pianist and a cantor/song leader.  Their stipends are paid to the church through the funeral home (if applicable) and we will take care of payment of these stipends to the musicians.  They will lead you in song through the funeral liturgy.  If you wish to have someone sing one special song or solo, please let us know well ahead of time so that they may join our ministers of music.

Returning the Funeral Planning Sheet
You can return your sheet by emailing to one of the pastoral staff or in-person to the Pastoral Offices, 43 Gebhardt Road, weekdays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.- after hours in the large brown mailbox outside of the building.   

May you know the presence of God in this time of need and always-St. Joseph’s Pastoral Staff