GUIDELINE FOR FUNERAL MASS/SERVICE AT ST. MARTIN DE PORRES

• The tradition of the Catholic Church has always been the celebration of the Mass with the body present in the Church.  It is the teaching of the Church to respect and honor the body of the dead, which in Baptism becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. 
• Cremation:  It is the Church’s recommendation that if cremation of the body is to take place, it occurs following the Funeral Mass.  However, if cremation immediately after death, the Church now permits the cremated remains to be brought into Church for the Funeral Mass.
• Before you set up the date and time with the funeral home for service, please contact the parish or have the funeral home contact the parish to make sure the church and clergy are available. 
• Vigil Service (Wake Service) and Rosary are normally done the night before the Funeral Mass/Service at Church.  It is always done at Funeral Home and done by a Deacon.  The Rosary alone can be done at Church with a special arrangement with the parish and it can be done by, clergy, a family member or someone else. 
• Funeral Mass or Memorial Mass is done by a priest and only takes place at Church.  Funeral Service (celebration of the Liturgy of the Words only) can be done by a deacon, both at Church or at the funeral home. 
• There are various Scripture readings that are chosen for Catholic funeral Mass/service by the Catholic Church.  The celebrant of the Mass/service is happy to select appropriate Scripture readings and make all of the liturgical preparations for the funeral.  Family is encouraged to choose the readings (please see our website).  However, it is not required. If you wish to choose the readings, there are two options:
  • Option 1: First Reading (either from OT or NT), Responsorial Psalm, Gospel.
  • Option 2: First Reading from OT, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading from letters of NT, Gospel.
• Music is not needed at the funeral Mass/service.  However, if you would like music, please offer $100.00 stipend to the musician. You can choose the songs for Funeral Mass on our website. Secular music is not allowed during Vigil Service at Church or funeral home, anytime in the church, especially at Funeral Mass/Service. If you wish to play any secular music, please arrange with the funeral home to play before or after the Vigil Service at funeral home or at grave site.
• Eulogies are not appropriate at the Funeral Mass.  However, one member of the family can give a thank you speech to those who are present at the Funeral Mass.  If the family wishes to give a Eulogy, please encourage them to do at Funeral Home either before or after the Vigil Service.  If the family desire, please inform the church at the funeral arrangement. 
• The church offers free of charge to funeral Mass/service.  However, family is welcome to offer donation to the Church.
• Clergy also offers free of charge.  If family wishes, Mass/service stipend is free-will offering to clergy for celebrating a Mass/service.