Funerals
Contact:
Parish Office – (502) 582-2971
At the time of death, either the funeral director or a family member may contact the parish office (582-2971) to schedule a funeral service, ordinarily celebrated at a Mass in the Cathedral church. A member of the pastoral staff will assist families with planning the funeral rites.
Planning
Family members are invited to take an active role in planning the funeral liturgy. Planning may include selection of readings for the Mass and suggestions for music. A planning worksheet, suggestions for music, and options for readings may be found below.
Ministries
Normally, family members or friends place the pall over the casket during the Introductory Rites and present the gifts of bread and wine during the Preparation of the Table and Gifts. In addition, family members or friends may serve as lectors and ministers of Holy Communion. Cathedral parishioners or staff will serve as altar servers as well as ministers of music and hospitality. Cathedral parishioners may also serve as lectors and ministers of Holy Communion if the family wishes.
Cremation
Although the Catholic Church recommends that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral liturgy, cremation is permitted either before or after the funeral liturgy. When the funeral liturgy is celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains, the cremated remains are to be treated with the same reverence as the human body.
Before the funeral Mass, a worthy vessel containing the cremated remains is carried with reverence into the church and placed on a stand or table in the place usually occupied by the coffin. The funeral Mass begins with the sprinkling of holy water and concludes with the rite of commendation. After the funeral liturgy, the cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium.
