Funerals
Through the Rite of Christian Burial we celebrate the hope of resurrection - the hope into which we are baptized - the dignity of a Catholic funeral cannot be overemphasized.
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A representative of the funeral home (funeral director) will guide you through planning the process. The funeral home will contact the parish offices to schedule the funeral. If a grave is required in Ss Peter & Paul Cemetery, they will make arrangements with our Cemetery Sexton. They also coordinate flowers, printed items, wakes, luncheons, etc.
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Questions have been raised on whether a funeral Mass may be celebrated in a funeral home, nursing home, a cremation facility, or another non-sacred place, which may be convenient for family members. In the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, funeral Masses may not be celebrated in any non-sacred places without explicit permission of the Vicar General or Archbishop, and only for legitimate reasons.
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Once scheduled, the pastor will call the family representative to set up a time to meet and arrange the funeral liturgy including selecting readings, music, musicians, family involvement in the Mass, etc.. To start thinking of readings, click on the link below to see the list of available readings.
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Luncheon
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Our funeral luncheon coordinator will follow up with you to discuss menu options once we have been contacted by the funeral director.
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Livestreaming​
Our parish is equipped to livestream funerals to YouTube. If you wish to have your funeral livestreamed, the parish will schedule a videographer. There is no charge for this service but it is subject to the availability of a videographer. Your funeral home may also offer this service.
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Livestreamed funerals by our church can be found on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaKRFer1OK-UVuukbuPxIwi84d7Dlo6iE
Cremation
May Catholics Be Cremated?
The short answer is, yes.
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"Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites"
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No 413, Order of Christian Funerals
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The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, and the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition.
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What About The Funeral?
After a funeral with the body present, the funeral director will take possession of the body for cremation and burial at a later date. Otherwise, the process is the same for all funerals with the body or the cremated remains. The funeral director will make sure the church is opened, flowers are arranged, printed materials are set out, paperwork and stipends are prepared and delivered, and those involved in the Mass are ready to perform their roles including making sure people are seated before the Mass begins. Following funerals where cremated remains are present and burial follows immediately, they will direct the procession to the cemetery.
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Final Disposition
The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires.
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No. 417, Order of Christian Funerals