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Funerals and Burials

- We welcome your family to Christ the King or St Patrick as you prepare to commend your loved one into the arms of a loving God. The death of a loved one is a difficult time, as you are required to make many decisions in a short amount of time. It is our hope that the instructions below can help you in that process.
- How to Begin
  
  You may call the rectory at (802) 773-6820 or contact us via email. Please ask to speak to one of the priests about planning a funeral should you have questions or wish to begin the process of planning a funeral. We are here to help you in your grieving process and of commending your loved one to the Lord.
- Burials
  
  The parish priests can provide graveside services as needed. The parish does not coordinate these services with the cemetery. The family must make the call directly to the cemetery to do so. The funeral home will also make graveside service arrangements, upon request.
- The Funeral Mass
  
  The funeral Mass, known as the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial, is a Mass in a Catholic church in which the remains are usually present, whether in body or in ashes. Rich in symbols, the funeral Mass aids the family in saying goodbye while commending your loved one into the arms of a loving God. The prayers speak of life with God and the resurrection of the dead. The coffin is covered with a white pall to signify that the deceased was baptized. The tall paschal candle is lit to bring the faithful back to the resurrection of Jesus and Easter, the feast through which each of us will rise from the dead. As the incense rises to the heavens, so our prayers and our loved ones rise too. The funeral Mass is a sacred moment in church, so all that is done as part of the Mass is sacred.
  To help you prepare for your deceased family member’s funeral Mass, here are the places for you to consider for family and friends' participation. Please know that you are not required to take part at all; the parish will provide for all or some part of this if need be.
  
  There are four places for approved hymns that are normally sung as part of the liturgy of the church. The processional, offertory, communion and recessional hymns are all part of the prayer of the church. As Catholics, we realize that funerals are a difficult time for all involved. We also recognize that music plays a very important part in the lives of many, and that certain songs remind us of our loved ones. We respect and appreciate that. However, as Catholics, we only play or sing sacred music in church. We do not sing or play non-sacred music in church – either during the Mass, prior to the Mass or following the Mass. This includes music that has a religious connotation but is not a sacred hymn. Below is a list of hymns that you may choose.
  Please note: the music is provided by the parish. If you have a request for a particular singer or musician, this must be arranged with the director of music, either through the funeral home or by calling the rectory at (802) 773-6820.
  
  There are Old Testament and New Testament readings. Below are links to the readings you may choose. The priest will choose the gospel unless you have a recommendation. Give some thought to one or two people who will proclaim the Old and New Testament readings.
  
  There is the offertory of bread, wine and water. Two or three people are often used for this moment during the Mass. Four is the maximum number of people for this procession of the sacred species.
  
  Finally, one person may optionally deliver a brief eulogy at the funeral Mass. If delivered, it should be centered on the faith and Christian virtues of the deceased. The eulogist also makes any announcements requested by the family. There are no songs as part of the eulogy. The eulogy is to be written out, and the priest-celebrant reserves the right to review it beforehand.
  
  The hall of either parish may be used for a post-funeral reception, depending on availability. The family are responsible for all catering, setup, and clean-up. The parish does not employ a kitchen staff for events.
  
  Your funeral director will guide you in your decision-making. You may call the rectory at (802) 773-6820 and ask to speak to one of the priests about planning a funeral. Please know that we are here to help you in your grief and in commending your loved one to the Lord.
  
  To make your selections, either use the form below or give your choices directly to the parish.
  
  Peace to you,
  Msgr Bernard Bourgeois. pastor
- Funeral Mass Information and Selection Form
  
  The maximum number of form submissions has been reached. This form is currently not available.
  
  You may use this form once you have read the section above entitled The Funeral Mass and have made funeral arrangements with a funeral director or one of our priests.
  
  General Information
  
  Name of deceased REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Funeral home and director REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Funeral date and time REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Funeral Location REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Burial date and time (if applicable) Please enter valid data.
  
  Burial location (if applicable)
  
  Calling hours (if applicable) Please enter valid data.
  
  Will there be a casket or an urn? Casket Urn No remains in the church
  
  Do you wish to use the church hall for a reception if available? REQUIRED Yes No Please fill out this field.
  
  Your name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Your relationship to the deceased REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Your phone REQUIRED Maximum 20 characters Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Your email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Funeral Liturgy
  
  Gift bearers (if any)
  
  Eulogist (if any) Please enter valid data.
  
  READINGS
  Use these links for the full texts of the readings:
  First reading options
  Responsorial psalm options
  Second reading options
  If you would prefer the priest to choose the reading, select " No preference" at the top of the dropdown list.
  
  First reading preference REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Note: readings E–1 to E–4 are for Eastertide only.
  
  Responsorial psalm preference REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Second reading preference REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  First reader (if one has been assigned) Please enter valid data.
  
  Second reader (if one has been assigned) Please enter valid data.
  
  MUSIC
  You may choose up to four hymns from the following list to be included in the liturgy. Please see part 1 underThe Fueral Mass (above) for more information on music.
  
  Hymn preferences (if any) Abide with Me Amazing Grace America the Beautiful Ave Maria – Gounod Ave Maria – Schubert Be Not Afraid Be Still, My Soul Be Thou My Vision Earthen Vessels Faith of Our Fathers Gift of Finest Wheat How Great Thou Art I Am the Bread of Life I Heard the Voice of Jesus I Know That My Redeemer Lives Jerusalem, My Happy Home Lift High the Cross Lord of All Hopefulness Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory O God, Our Help in Ages Past O Sacrament Most Holy On Eagle's Wings One Bread, One Body Panis Angelicus – Franck Panis Angelicus – Hymn Prayer of St Francis Sing with All the Saints in Glory The King of Love My Shepherd Is The Strife Is O'er To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King What Wondrous Love
  
  Other Information
  
  Please provide any additional information here
  
  Submit
  
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The Rutland-Wallingford Catholic Community

CHRIST THE KING, RUTLAND | ST PATRICK, WALLINGFORD

Funerals and Burials

How to Begin

Burials

The Funeral Mass

Funeral Mass Information and Selection Form