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Spiritual Guidance
A Journey of Prayer

At a death, the Catholic Church offers immense support and consolation through the Order of Christian Funerals — a journey of prayer for the deceased with the mourners. The various prayers, rituals, music, silence and gestures are expressions of invisible emotions and feelings. The rites express a situation that is ideal, while requiring pastoral adaptation to a situation that is real. Ordinarily, the Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) includes the Vigil Service, the Funeral Mass and the Rite of Committal. The Vigil may be at a funeral home or at the deceased's parish, either the night before or just before the Mass. As a norm, the Funeral Mass is celebrated with the faith community where the deceased belonged. The Rite of Committal occurs at the cemetery either at grave or crypt side, or in a chapel.

At times, the vigil or visitation service, a committal without a Mass or a Mass with committal has been held at our chapels. As the final resting place, we want to invite gatherings here, rather than no gathering anywhere. Inquire first with the cemetery and our Spiritual Director. Please click here to read more.

In This Area —
Spiritual Guidance Overview Why A Funeral?
Introduction to Spiritual Treasury Order of Christian Funerals Overview
Guidance for the Un-Churched Order of Christian Funerals I
A Journey of Prayer Order of Christian Funerals II
Committal Service Assistance Order of Christian Funerals III
About Fr. Marvin I. Lazarski Thought of the Week

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