What To Do When Preparing A Funeral
Before Death
It is best to accomplish these tasks while still of able mind and body:
- Plan a meeting with the parish priest, upon loved one entering hospice or understanding death is imminent, so he can administer the sacraments to the dying family member and answer any questions the family may have about death and the church’s funeral rites.
- Discuss your dying family member’s wishes, taking into consideration what is best for him or her. Honoring their wishes is important, when possible.
- Make any arrangements you can before the death of your loved one, including planning the funeral rites and selecting cemetery property.
At the Time of Death
- Call the pastor to offer prayer and comfort, and consult the family in preparing for funeral rites. At the parish, the pastor and/or the Director of Liturgy and Music will help you choose readings and responses and offer music selections, if they have not been pre-selected. After major decisions have taken place by the family with the pastor, the funeral director can confirm all the plans.
- Contact a funeral home. It is important to not hand over all the responsibility for the Funeral, and Burial to the funeral director alone. Be sure you speak to your priest before finalizing any service times or details.
- Cemeteries – if your loved one has not pre-purchased their committal space (grave, etc.) you need to select a burial location based on the type of committal (full body or cremation). In some cases, you will need to select an outer burial vault (standard or protective), and select and review any memorialization (marker, headstone, plaque, lettering, etc.) you would like to include on your loved one’s burial location. Memorialization can be selected at a later time. At the funeral home, you will also confirm the committal service dates and times.
- If you or your loved one has a burial location in St. Michael Cemetery, please contact the parish secretary ([email protected] or 240-437-3660) to be put into contact with the St. Michael Cemetery operations manager to make them aware of the situation. They will speak to you about details needed to secure opening the gravesite and preparing for the burial.
After Death
- Grief doesn’t end with the funeral rites, and can have lasting effects on individuals. All grieve at different times and in different spaces, as well as in differing manners. Please do not hesitate to reach out to St. Michael Poplar Springs Catholic Church for help in finding resources to deal with grief after the death of a loved one.
- We will contact you to invite you to the annual Mass of Remembrance (near All Souls’ Day <November 2>). Please let us be a place of support, faith and comfort.
