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Funeral Preparation

- PREPARE YOUR FUNERAL
  
  Preparing a Funeral
  
  The Catholic funeral consists of three stages: the Vigil (wake), the Mass of Christian Burial, and the Committal(Burial). It is also convenient to schedule a time during the vigil for "Words of Remembrance" to be shared, which should also occur at the funeral home.
  
  For the funeral Mass, the following references will assist you to prepare a funeral for a loved one or to pre-plan your own rites. In the latter case, write down your choices, and give a copy of these choices to the member of the familiy who will be in charge of your funeral and give to the funeral director to include with the other items found in your pre-arrangements.
  
  Funeral Readings
  Similar to a Sunday liturgy, there are three readings: Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel.
  Usually, the priest celebrant will choose the Gospel. Links for the Old Testament and New Testament readings are below:
  Old Testament Readings - First Reading
  New Testament Readings - Second Reading
  The responsorial psalm is usually "The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want."
  However, click here for some alternatives.
  The Gospel selection is usually chosen by the priest celebrant or by the deacon or priest who will preach. The selections used are found here.
  
  General Intercessions
  There is a variety of choices for the General Intercessions. You may also compose your own. Here are some samples. These two documents are in MS Word format and will automatically download to your computer allowing you to edit them as you see fit.
  Intercessions for a man.
  Intercessions for a woman.
  
  So, here is a resumé of what you need to prepare
  Click here to download a form where you can write your choices
  (The page numbers on the form refer to the pages in a booklet that the parish can make available to you.)
  Entrance hymn
  First reading and reader
  Second reading and reader
  General Intercessions
  Who will bring up the gifts of bread and wine
  Hymn for the presentation of the gifts or simple background music or a solo hymn.
  Hymn for communion or simple background music or a solo hymn.
  Recessional hymn
  In the Diocese of Ogdensburg, the preferred option for "Words of Remembrance" is to offer them at the Vigil Service(Wake), Committal(Burial) or at a luncheon following the funeral, but not at the Mass.
Popular Funeral Music
- There are four places for hymns during the funeral: entrance, presentation of the gifts, communion, and recessional. In addition, there is the responsorial psalm usually led by the cantor and the hymn of farewell if your body or ashes are present for the funeral. During the presentation of the gifts and communion, you can opt to have the organist play appropriate music rather than singing a hymn.
  
  Amazing Grace
  Be not Afraid
  Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
  How Great Thou Art
  I am the Bread of Life
  In Paradisum
  Irish Blessing
  Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
  Lead Me Lord
  On Eagles' Wings
  One Bread, One Body
  Prayer of St. Francis
  Precious Lord, Take My Hand
  Rain Down
  Shepherd Me, O God
  Sing to the Mountains
  Song of Farewell
  Song of Farewell (2nd version) (Tune of Londonderry Air)
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  Click Here for a Listing of Other Appropriate Funeral Music

St. Mary's & St. John's Churches

Waddington & Madrid, NY

Funeral Preparation

PREPARE YOUR FUNERAL

Preparing a Funeral

Funeral Readings

General Intercessions

So, here is a resumé of what you need to prepare

Popular Funeral Music