Grieving families often find it difficult to know where to begin when planning the funeral rites for their loved one.

Their first decision is to choose a funeral home to assist them in all aspects of the funeral from initial care of the body to final commendation at the graveside. We generally do not make recommendations in this regard; in our experience all Spokane funeral homes offer excellent service to our grieving families. 

Please let us know as soon as possible of your loss. Father Vic, our pastor, would be happy to visit with you in your home and pray with you if that would be consoling and supportive for you. 

Usually, the funeral director will then contact us to make plans for the funeral rites at the church, but sometimes the families in coordination with their funeral director take this step themselves. 

Father will guide you in choosing scripture readings for the fuenral liturgies, as well as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. 

Either Ann Horobiowski, our 5:00pm Mass choir director, or Scott Miller, our 10:00 am Mass choir director would be happy to assist you in planning the music for the funeral Mass. Their services are to be reimbursed directly to them by either the family or the funeral home.
Other musicians familiar with Catholic liturgy are also welcome to lead the music in the funeral liturgy.

Funerals cannot be held on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. We also prefer to avoid Monday funerals. 

Our social hall is available for receptions, meals, or gatherings following the funeral services. We now offer a simple meal service to assist our grieving families. Contact Aggie in the parish office for details.

For followers of Jesus, the extraordinary gift of the Resurrection offers to all of us a view beyond the grave and so offers us HOPE that his Easter Life will be ours if we are faithful to him. Whenever we face the harsh reality of death this hope in the gift of everlasting life and love without end allows our tears to be transformed from tears of sadness to tears of healing and tears of joy. 

The Catholic funeral liturgies make present through many symbols and sacraments the promise of Life in its fullness beyond the grave. For millenia, Christians have gathered in prayer to not only remember the blessings of a life now ended, but to entrust their beloved dead into God's gracious hands. 

To any who must prepare for the funeral of a loved one and wish to do so with the Church family supporting them in sacrament and prayer, we welcome you to contact us as soon as possible to begin the process of preparing beautiful and hope-filled funeral liturgies for your loved one.

There are usually three parts to the Catholic funeral liturgy:

• The Vigil held the night before the funeral Mass and burial. It is a fairly brief Liturgy of the Word combined with special intercessions and prayers for the deceased and those who survive. Often it is also accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary and quite commonly, eulogies may be offered. The Vigil may take place in the home, in the funeral home, or in the church.. The Viigl may be celebrated by the parish deacon.
• The Funeral Mass is the heart of the funeral rites.
  • It begins in the church entryway with the blessing of the body with the holy water of Baptism, followed by the clothing of the casket or urn with the white pall (a large cloth) that also symbolizes baptism, and the placing of both a crucifix and the Book of the Gospels or a personal Bible atop the casket. 
  • The liturgy continues with the Liturgy of the Word, with Scripture readings usually chosen by the family, and a homily by the presiding priest or deacon.
  • The Liturgy of the Eucharist follows with the commemoration of the Lord's own death and his resurrection in this greatest prayer of the Church.
  • The final prayers of Commendation are prayed at the foot of the sanctuary in which the soul of the deceased is entrusted into God's fatherly care.
• Interment where the mortal remains will be laid to rest. Scripture is read, intercessions offered, the grave is blessed and the remains are commended to the dust of the earth from which they were created. This may also be celebrated by the deacon.

Scriptures:

The family is invited to choose the Scripture readings for the Funeral Mass as well as the Intercessions that follow the homily from a wide variety of selections provided to you in a booklet entitled, Through Death to Life. You may stop by the parish office to pick up a copy.
You may also find the readings on-line by clicking on this link: Funeral Readings. 
Please let Father know as soon as possible any choices you have made. 

Music:

Our music ministers, Ann and Scott, (see column to left) are always open to serving you in preparing the musical pieces of the funeral liturgy. They will guide you through the options and help you make your choices so that the Funeral Mass is one that is both personal and dignified, as well as honoring the great tradition of Christian faith in the Resurrection. 
Their services are to be reimbursed directly to them by either the family or the funeral home.

Eulogies:

A eulogy is welcome following Communion by a member of the family or other person delegated by you. There should only be one eulogy given in the service and it should not exceed ten to twelve minutes. There should never be an "open mic" type of eulogy during the Mass. 
Others who wish to share memories of the deceased person should be given a place at the reception to do so.

Funeral Receptions/Meals

Military Honors:

We are always happy to collaborate with military honor guards in providing this special commemoration for those who have served in the military. Military honors follow the final commendation at the end of the funeral Mass.