Funeral Rites

The Consolation of Eternal Life

A great many people believe that our eternal life will begin at the time of our death. In reality, our eternal life with God began on the day of our Baptism, the day we became children of God. As adopted members of God’s family, we become heirs of heaven; and, as our heritage, God shares His very life with us:

Life that is eternal, life that transcends all time and space.

When we reflect on this great truth, we can come to realize that those we love who have gone before us, have not been separated from us. They are really much closer to us because they now live in the fullness of God’s love, a love that embraces each one of us, whether here on earth or in the heavenly kingdom. It is in this divine love that we are truly united, not only to God, but to each other.

At a time of mourning, we often feel that we are distant from those we love. Actually, they are united with us now more than ever before. No more do they know the restraints of the human condition. Now they are able to love us with a deeper love, a fuller love, a love that is enriched by God’s own love. No, death does not separate us from those we love. It deepens our union with God and with each other.

Funeral Liturgy

The Catholic Church offers Funeral Liturgies not only to pray that God grant eternal rest to the beloved deceased person, but also to provide courage and comfort for the grieving family and those mourning the death of the one they have loved.

Wake or vigil services help to make it possible for others to share their sorrow, to lend their support and to pray for the departed loved one.

Funeral Masses engage a selection of readings from the Holy Scriptures, to enlighten our way as we walk in the valley of darkness, of sorrow, death and sin, to lighten our burden, and carry us through these difficult moments of having to let go someone who has been so much our daily life. Often a question lingers in the depths of our hearts: How can I go on without you?

Funeral Liturgies offer a myriad of prayers and blessings invoking the mercies of our loving God, and the good shepherd who leads his flock to greener and fresh pastures, who seeks the lost and finds them, who nourishes and supplies for their needs, who protects them from the enemy and even lays down His life for them.

Dying, you destroyed our death, Rising, you restored our life, Lord Jesus come in Glory

Faith in Jesus Christ leads one to find bright rays of hope in the midst of their pain, loss and many tears. Christians are reminded of their own Baptism, that death is not the end, but a beginning; that a beloved has passed from death from this present, temporary imperfect life to a perfect, permanent one.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are assured that those who saw God in faith on earth, will now see the Lord face to face in heaven; They will live forever. Jesus said: 'He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood, will live because of me, and I will raise him up on the last day.'

That while death separates us now, it is but for a little time only. Our Hope is that we shall be reunited in heaven. The words of the Funeral liturgy remind us that ‘a dwelling provided for us by God, is a dwelling in the heavens, not made by human hands, but that which lasts forever. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

A few of the popular poems found printed on souvenir and prayer cards at Chapels, may help one find solace and still be proactive, reach down deep and reminisce, and be grateful for so many blessings, learn to accept things what one cannot change, have the courage and the strength to change the things one can and God's wisdom to know the difference. It is our Faith in the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that gives us life, that sustains us through the days of our grieving, to make our peace and prompts us to surrender our loved ones to the Lord in His safe keeping.

God’s Heavenly Garden

Sometimes God picks the flower that is still in full bloom;

Sometimes the rosebud’s chosen that we feel He’s picked too soon.

Sometimes the flower is fading with petals floating down,

but God knows the perfect time to gather flowers from the ground.

There is a heavenly garden in which God takes Great pleasure

because He’s placed within it the Loved ones that we treasure.

He walks among the blossoms giving them eternal rest,

and I know that it much pleases Him because

He chose my very best.

A Wonderful Mother

God created a wonderful mother,

A mother who never grows old;

He made her smile of the sunshine,

He molded her heart of pure gold;

In her eyes He placed bright shining stars

In her cheeks, fair roses you see;

God made a wonderful Mother

And He gave that dear Mother to me.

Farewell

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with time of sorrow;

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full; I’ve savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me;

God wanted me now,

He set me free!

Awakening

When day seems dark and dreary and self-pity runs its course,

let’s quickly counteract it with almighty prayerful force . . .

for we can ask the Master in a simple, humble way to lift the gloom

and muddle and shed joy upon our day . . .

awakened sense will ponder over all the blessings nigh,

then thought will be uplifted

as the darkness passes by.