Dear Friends,

On behalf of the clergy and staff of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. We hold you and your loved one in our prayers during this time of grief and remembrance.

In the face of sorrow, the Church offers us the grace and beauty of the sacred scriptures, heartfelt prayers, and the Funeral Mass. These sacred traditions help us commend your loved one to God’s infinite mercy and remind us that, in Christ, love is stronger than death. The bonds we form in this life do not end—the promise of eternal life transforms them into something more enduring.

As you prepare for the Funeral Mass, we invite you to explore the options outlined in the enclosed booklet. It contains readings, prayers, and music selections that can help you create a meaningful and personal celebration of your loved one’s life. You will also find a simple planning form to guide you through the process.

Please take your time, speak with your family, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We are here to support you in any way we can.

May God’s peace surround you, and may you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

Yours in Christ,

Father John Worgul, Pastor

For information please contact Karen Cain at 443.920.9140 or caink@saintjoseph.cc

Losing a Loved One

At Saint Joseph, we are here for you and your family during this difficult period, including the days, weeks, and months that follow.

If you would like to receive support from someone who can aid you in processing your grief, our Stephen Ministers are available to help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who receive special training to provide one-to-one Christian care to those in our congregation and surrounding community who are experiencing challenges in life–grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, and many other life difficulties.

Learn more at SaintJoseph.cc/Stephen-Ministry or contact them directly at 443.920.9185.

General Information

Masses of Christian Burial are celebrated Monday through Friday.

The Mass is said by one of the priests at the Parish; however, another priest with whom the family has a personal relationship is welcome to celebrate. All priests and deacons from outside the Archdiocese of Baltimore must have their diocese/religious community provide a Testimonial or Suitability  to the Division of Clergy Personnel (https://archbalt.org/clergy/event-faculties/) to celebrate, concelebrate, assist, or vest. We kindly ask you to inform the parish in advance if you wish to have a visiting clergy member serve at the Mass.

Planning the Funeral Mass

There are several options for Scripture readings and music selections suitable for the Funeral Mass.  You will find these selections in this booklet, beginning here.

Please choose the following:

• First Reading
• Second Reading
• Gospel
• Responsorial Psalms
• Music Selections

You may select family and friends to participate in the following ways:

• Placing of the Pall on the Casket
  •  2-4 people
• Bring up the Gifts
  • 2-4 people

Liturgical Readings (First and Second Reading)

ϯ Readers may be chosen to proclaim the readings from Scripture. Because they carry out a liturgical function, readers should usually be Catholic; however, members of another Church or ecclesial community may also serve in this capacity.

ϯ Prayers of the Faithful

ϯ Presentation of the Gifts

ϯ Members of the family or friends may bring forward the gifts of bread and wine to be offered as the Body and Blood of the Lord.

ϯ Memorial Reflection (optional)

A Funeral Arrangement Worksheet, click here, is provided to help you and your family prepare.

Funeral Mass Order

 Introductory Rites

• Greeting
• Sprinkling of Casket with Holy Water
• Entrance Procession & Hymn
• Placing of the Pall

Collect (prayer)

Liturgy of the Word

• First Reading (Old Testament)
• Psalm (Sung by Cantor)
• Second Reading (New Testament)
• Gospel Reading
• Homily

Preparation

• General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful)

Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Offertory Hymn
• Presentation of the Gifts
• Preparation of the Gifts & Altar
• Rite of Peace
• The Fraction of the Bread (Communion)
• Communion Hymn

Final Commendation

An optional memorial reflection may be given. The placement of the memorial reflection will be at the discretion of the presider.  The deceased’s faith life should be included in the memorial reflection.

First Readings from the Old Testament 

Job 19:1, 23-27

Then Job answered and said: Oh, would that my words were written down! Would that they were inscribed in a record: That with an iron chisel and with lead they were cut in the rock forever! As for me, I know that my vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust. This will happen when my skin has been stripped off, and from my flesh I will see God: I will see for myself, my own eyes, not another’s, will behold him: my inmost being is consumed with longing.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come And the years approach of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;  Before the sun is darkened

and the light and the moon and the stars and the clouds return after the rain; When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent; When the women who grind are idle because they are few, and those who look through the windows grow blind;

When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one rises at the call of a bird, and all the daughters of song are quiet; When one is afraid of heights,

and perils in the street; When the almond tree blooms, and the locust grows sluggish

and the caper berry is without effect, Because mortals go to their lasting home, and mourners go about the streets; Before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, And the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the pulley is broken at the well, And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it.

Proverbs 31:10-12, 20-21, 25-26, 28-30

Who can find a woman of worth? Far beyond jewels is her value. Her husband trusts her judgment; he does not lack income. She brings him profit, not loss, all the days of her life. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She is not concerned for her household when it snows—all her charges are doubly clothed. She is  clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her:  “Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Wisdom 3:1-9

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

Wisdom 4:7-15

But the righteous one, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of me, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding passes for gray hair, and an unsullied life is the attainment of old age. The one who pleased God was loved, living among sinners, was transported—Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take that consideration into account. Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

Isaiah 55:1-12

All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew you with the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your  thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. Yes, in joy you shall depart, in peace you shall be brought back; mountains and hills shall break out in song before you, and all the trees of the countryside shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”

First Readings from the New Testament during the Easter Season

Acts 10:34-43

Peter proceeded to speak, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel as he proclaimed peace throughJesus Christ, who is Lord of all, [what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,  not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.]
He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Revelation 20:11—21:1

I, John, saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds,      by what was written in the scrolls. The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

 Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”

Revelation 14:13

I, John, heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”

Responsorial Psalms

Psalm 103 The Lord is kind and merciful

The Lord is kind and merciful.

Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Man’s days are like those of grass; like a flower of the field he blooms; The wind sweeps over him and he is gone, and his place knows him no more.

But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity, to eternity toward those who fear him, and his justice toward children’s children among those who keep his covenant and remember to fulfill his precepts. 

Psalm 130 Out of depths, I cry to you, Lord.

Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.

If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.

I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the Lord more than the sentinels wait for the dawn.

More than the sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord, For with the Lord is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption. Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord. And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. 

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. 

Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?  The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,  That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me and answer me. Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD! 

Psalm 34 The Lord hears the cry of the poor

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Blessed be the Lord. I will bless the Lord at all times, with praise ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the Lord, who will hear the cry of the poor.

Blessed be the Lord.  Let the lowly hear and be glad: the Lord listens to their pleas; and to hearts broken, god is near, who will hear the cry of the poor.

Blessed be the Lord.  Every spirit crushed, God will save; will be ransom for their lives; will be safe shelter for their fears, and will hear the cry of the poor.

Blessed be the Lord.  We proclaim your greatness, O God,  your praise ever in our mouth; every face brightened in your light, for you hear the cry of the poor. 

Psalm 63 My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you.

Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.

You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. 

Psalm 91 Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble, be with me, Lord, I pray.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Most High, who abide in the shadow of our god, say to the Lord: “My refuge and fortress, the God in whom I trust.

No evil shall befall you, no pain come near, for the angels stand close by your side, guarding you always and bearing you gently, watching over your life.

Those who cling to the Lord live secure in God’s love, lifted high, those who trust in God’s name, call on the Lord, who will neve forsake you.

God will bring you salvation and joy. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble, be with me, Lord, I pray.

Second Readings from the New Testament

I Corinthians 15:51-57

Behold, I, [Paul], tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.

I Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various  trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Revelation 21:1-7

Then I, [John] saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away. The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down for they are trustworthy and true.” He said to me, “They are accomplished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”

Romans 5:5-11

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 6:3-9

[Are] you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

Romans 8:14-23

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, “Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared  with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of  God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Gospel Readings

Matthew 5: 1-12a

When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Matthew 25: 31-40

[Jesus said to his disciples ] When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him.  And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world me.” Then the righteous will answer him and say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?” And the king will say to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Luke 23:33, 39-40

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified [Jesus] and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his let. Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Luke 23: 44-46

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

John 6:37-40

[Jesus said], “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”

John 11:17-27

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 6:51-58

I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?”

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats* my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Commonly Requested Music for a Funeral

• Amazing Grace
• Ave Maria (sung by cantor)
• Be Not Afraid
• Behold the Lamb
• Dwellers in the Holy City
• Eat This Bread
• Here I am, Lord
• Holy God We Praise Thy Name
• How Great Thou Art
• I Am the Bread of Life 
• I Heard the Voice of Jesus
• I Know that My Redeemer Lives
• I Receive the Living God
• Jesus, Remember Me
• Lord of All Hopefulness
• O God, Beyond All Praising
• On Eagle’s Wings
• Precious Lord, Take My Hand
• Sing with All the Saints in Glory
• Take and Eat
• Taste and See
• The King of Love…
• The Strife is O’er
• There Is a Balm in Gilead
• What Wondrous Love is This
• You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (Gift of Finest Wheat )

*the bolded names are recommended for Communion

Church Offerings

Per Canon Law, funeral stipends are typically understood as voluntary offerings, not mandatory fees for a funeral Mass.  While the offering may be customary or expected, it is generally presented as a gift from the faithful and is used to cover expenses related to the funeral, including use of the church facility and the services of the presider, cantor, accompanist, sacristan, custodian, and administrative staff. 

An offering of $700.00 is suggested, made payable to Saint Joseph Catholic Church and given to the parish office or to the funeral director prior to the funeral. Please discuss with the clergy if your family is facing any type of financial hardship.

An additional committal stipend is suggested for the presider at the interment (cemetery) or inurnment (columbarium) as follows:

ϯ $75.00 within a 15 mile radius of the Church

ϯ $150.00 if over 15 miles from the Church (this includes Garrison Forest Veteran’s Cemetery)

Live Stream

Saint Joseph offers the option to live stream your loved one’s funeral. This additional service is $125.00.  The Funeral will be viewable at YouTube.com/@SaintJosephCC or SaintJoseph.cc/Watch.

Bereavement Hospitality

 Bereavement Hospitality is a volunteer ministry offering hospitality services for parishioners and their family and friends.  The ministry offers complimentary space for a funeral reception, as well as set up, people to serve, and clean up afterwards. Salads, desserts, beverages, paper products, and table cloths are provided.  The family is asked to provide the main entrée. Suggested donation is $150.00.