Funeral Guidelines

Guidelines for Funeral Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church

• The tradition of the Catholic Church has always been the celebration of the Mass with the body present in the Church.  It is the teaching of the Church to respect and honor the body of the dead, which in Baptism becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit. 
• Cremation:  It is the Church’s recommendation that if cremation of the body is to take place, it occurs following the Funeral Mass.  However, if cremation immediately after death, the Church now permits the cremated remains to be brought into church for the Funeral Mass.
• Before you set up the date and time with the funeral home, please contact the parish office or have the funeral home contact the office to make sure the church and clergy are available. 
• Vigil Service (Wake Service) and Rosary are normally done the night before the Funeral Mass at church.  It is always done at the funeral home by a deacon.  The Rosary alone can be done at church with a special arrangement with the parish and it can be done by, clergy, a family member or someone else. 
• Funeral Mass or Memorial Mass is done by a priest and only takes place at church.  Funeral Service (celebration of the Liturgy of the Words only) can be done by a deacon, either at church or at the funeral home. 
• There are various Scripture readings that are chosen for Catholic Funeral Mass/Service by the Catholic Church.  The celebrant of the Mass/Service is happy to select appropriate Scripture readings and make all of the liturgical preparations for the funeral.  The family is encouraged to choose the readings.  However, it is not required. If you wish to choose the readings, there are two options:
  • Option 1: First Reading (either from the Old Testament or New Testament), Responsorial Psalm, Gospel.
  • Option 2: First Reading from the Old Testament, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading from letters of the New Testament, Gospel.
• Music is not needed at the funeral Mass/Service.  However, if you would like music, please offer $150 stipend to the musicians. You can choose the songs for Funeral Mass from the list on our website. Secular music is not allowed during Vigil Service at church or funeral home, anytime in the church, especially at Funeral Mass/Service. If you wish to play any secular music, please arrange with the funeral home to play before or after the Vigil Service at funeral home or at gravesite.
• Eulogies are not appropriate at the Funeral Mass.  However, one member of the family can give a thank you speech to those who are present at the Funeral Mass.  If the family wishes to give a Eulogy, please encourage them to do it at the funeral home either before or after the Vigil Service.  If the family desires, inform the church of the funeral arrangement. 
• The church sanctuary is offered free of charge for funerals.  The family is welcome to offer a donation to the church.
• Clergy is also offered free of charge.  A stipend or free-will offering to the clergy for celebrating a Mass/Service is customary and appreciated.