Funerals & Burials

In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christ achieved his task of redeeming humanity and giving perfect glory to God, principally by the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, resurrection from the dead and glorious ascension.  The proclamation of Jesus Christ who was put to death for our sins and raised to life to justify us is at the center of the Church’s life. In the Eucharistic sacrifice, the Church’s celebration of Christ’s Passover from death to life, the faith of the baptized in the paschal mystery is renewed and nourished.  At the death of a Christian, whose life of faith was begun in the waters of baptism and strengthened at the Eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds forged in life.  Christians celebrate the Eucharist for the dead to offer worship, praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just.  In the Eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the church in heaven in the one great communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still at one with the community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession.  In this way, the spiritual bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaims its belief that all the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where death will be no more.

The planning of a funeral liturgy typically takes place during a meeting with our parish's Bereavement Ministry. If a funeral home is involved, they will assist the family in arranging this meeting and contacting the parish office regarding the date and time of the funeral liturgy. If a funeral home is not involved, the family should contact the parish offices by calling (609)924-1743.

Families are welcome to browse the links on this page to begin the planning process.