Funeral Information

  • Christians celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Mass, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, is the principal celebration of the Christian funeral.
    ~ Order of Christian Funerals

    The death of a loved one is a difficult time for families. At St. Odilia, our commitment is to assist the family of the deceased in preparing a meaningful celebration of life both on earth and eternal life.

    Procedures for Anointing of the Sick at St. Odilia

    When a person is seriously ill:

    Call the parish office at 651-484-6681; follow the prompts to access the after-hours answering service 24 hours a day. The call is referred to a priest or pastoral minister. Arrangements can be made to come to the nursing home, hospital, or your home to anoint your loved one. Only the priest can administer the Sacrament of the Sick. Anyone on the pastoral staff is happy to come and pray with you.

    When a family member is dying:

    Call the parish office at 651-484-6681; follow the prompts to access the after-hours answering service 24 hours a day. If the family member needs to be anointed, then a priest will be contacted and arrangements will be made. Please indicate if the dying person can receive Holy Communion. If so, the priest will administer Viaticum. Many hospitals have chaplains on site and they are also available if the parish cannot be contacted.

    Funeral Procedures at St. Odilia

    After the death of your loved one:

    Contact the parish office at 651-484-6681. When the parish office is closed, please follow the prompts for an emergency to access the after-hours answering service, to avoid delays. We will work with you and your funeral director to schedule the funeral, based on the availability of our facilities and clergy. It is our policy that funerals take precedence over most other activities.

    The normal time for funerals is weekday mornings. Due to the extensive use of the church on evenings and Saturdays for parish needs, evening and Saturday funerals should be considered a rare exception. No Mass of Christian Burial or Memorial Mass may be scheduled on Sundays, Feast Days, or during the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday).

    Families usually meet with the funeral director first and confirm arrangements. Family members then meet with the funeral coordinator to plan the liturgy (readings, music, and other details), and with the priest who will preside at the funeral.

    Visitation at St. Odilia

    The most commonly chosen schedule for visitation includes two to three hours at the funeral home on the evening before the funeral liturgy, which may include a Vigil Service if desired. St. Odilia offers one hour of gathering/visitation for the public, prior to the funeral Mass. The family is welcome to arrive half an hour before the public. If the family desires an extended visitation time, we suggest they utilize the services of a funeral home with the facilities and staffing to accommodate their needs.
     
    Displays:
    The parish will provide, on request, up to 4 easels for photo display boards, and one table for displaying items. If additional displays are desired, we will arrange for tables to be set up in the courtyard where the luncheon will be located.
     
    Slideshows:
    Slideshows may be presented during the visitation timeframe, and appropriate secular music may be incorporated within the slideshow.  No slideshows are allowed during the liturgy. Prepared slideshows should be either a PowerPoint presentation brought on a CD or jump drive, or a video on a DVD.

Commonly Asked Questions about Funerals:

  • What is the difference between a Mass of Christian Burial and a Memorial Mass?

    A Mass of Christian Burial takes place with the remains of the deceased person present.

    A Memorial Mass/Service is held in memory of the deceased person, but no remains are present.

    What does the Catholic Church say about cremation?

    Cremation is accepted by the Roman Catholic Church. It is preferred that the body of the deceased be present at the funeral liturgy and cremation take place afterward, but it is also acceptable for the cremation to take place first and the cremains to be present at the funeral liturgy. The Catholic Church requires that the cremains be buried, or interred, as a whole following the funeral, just as a body would be interred.

    Additional information regarding Cremation