Honor your faith and provide peace of mind for your family.
Pre-planning a Catholic funeral allows you to ensure that your final arrangements honor your faith while relieving your loved ones of difficult decisions during their time of grief. At Brooklyn Funeral Home & Cremation Service, we understand the importance of Catholic traditions and rituals in the funeral process and can help you create a plan that respects these sacred customs.
Our compassionate staff works closely with local Catholic parishes to ensure that all elements of your funeral plan align with Catholic teachings and traditions. By pre-planning your Catholic funeral, you provide your family with the comfort of knowing your wishes will be carried out in accordance with your faith.
A traditional Catholic funeral typically includes several key elements that honor the faith journey of the deceased.
The vigil service, commonly known as a wake or rosary service, is typically held the evening before the funeral Mass. This is a time for family and friends to gather, pray, and share memories of the deceased.
Elements of the vigil service include:
The Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased. It is a sacred ceremony that focuses on the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Christ. The Mass is typically held at the parish church of the deceased.
Elements of the Funeral Mass include:
The Rite of Committal is the final ceremony in the Catholic funeral process. It takes place at the cemetery or mausoleum and includes the blessing of the grave or niche, prayers, and the final farewell.
Elements of the Rite of Committal include:
The Catholic Church allows for several burial options while maintaining respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Traditional burial in consecrated ground has long been the preferred option in Catholic tradition. This involves interment of the body in a Catholic cemetery or in the Catholic section of a community cemetery.
The Church teaches that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with respect and dignity, which is reflected in the traditional burial process.
Entombment in a mausoleum is an accepted Catholic burial option. A mausoleum is an above-ground structure designed for the entombment of the deceased in crypts or compartments.
Many Catholic cemeteries offer mausoleum options, providing a clean, dry, and dignified resting place that allows for year-round visitation regardless of weather conditions.
Since 1963, the Catholic Church has permitted cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons contrary to Christian teaching. However, the Church strongly prefers that cremated remains be buried or entombed rather than scattered or kept at home.
The cremated remains should be treated with the same respect as the body, including the use of a worthy vessel for burial or entombment in a cemetery or columbarium.
Our funeral directors can help you understand these options and choose the one that best aligns with your faith and personal preferences.
Our simple process helps you create a meaningful Catholic funeral plan that honors your faith and provides peace of mind.
Meet with one of our experienced funeral directors to discuss your wishes, preferences, and Catholic faith traditions. We'll explain the various options available and answer any questions you may have about Catholic funeral customs and requirements.
We'll help you connect with your parish to discuss specific requirements and preferences for the Funeral Mass. This may include selecting readings, music, and other liturgical elements that are meaningful to you and align with Catholic traditions.
We'll document all your preferences, including details for the vigil service, Funeral Mass, and committal service. This includes your choices for readings, music, pallbearers, and any personal touches you wish to include within the framework of Catholic traditions.
Choose the products and services you desire, such as a casket or urn, burial location, memorial items, and transportation arrangements. We offer a range of options that respect Catholic traditions while accommodating various budgets.
Discuss options for pre-funding your funeral arrangements if desired. Pre-funding can protect against inflation and ensure that financial resources are available when needed, relieving your family of this burden during their time of grief.
Receive copies of your pre-planning documents to share with family members and your parish. We recommend informing loved ones about your arrangements and keeping a copy with your important papers to ensure your wishes are known and followed.
The following scripture passages are commonly used in Catholic funeral services and can be included in your pre-planning.
"The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them..."
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples..."
"My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is..."
"Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record..."
"Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts..."
"Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God..."
"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep..."
"I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away..."
"When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him..."
"Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me..."
"Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died...'"
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me..."
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want..."
"To you, O Lord, I lift my soul..."
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?..."
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name..."
These are just a selection of the readings available for Catholic funeral services. Our funeral directors can provide a complete list and help you select readings that are meaningful to you and your family.
Answers to common questions about Catholic funeral pre-planning.
Our compassionate team is here to help you create a plan that honors your faith and provides peace of mind for your family.