Funeral Planning

Introduction to Funeral Planning

Introduction to Funeral Planning

We invite families to engage in the Funeral Planning process both as part of their own healing process, and to help personalize your experience. This process is complete optional, and we are happy to assist in any way possible. Generally speaking, we will meet you in the Parish Office to review planning options, however we recognize that in certain circumstances that may not be possible. Other options can include having someone come to your home (if located in the immediate area), or a meeting by telephone or by virtual video chat.

First Readings

First Readings
- OT#1 2 Maccabees 12:43-46
  He acted in an excellent and noble way as he had the resurrection of the dead in view.
  A reading from the second Book of Maccabees
  
  Judas, the ruler of Israel,
  took up a collection among all his soldiers,
  amounting to two thousand silver drachmas,
  which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.
  In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way,
  inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view;
  for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again,
  it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.
  But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward
  that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness,
  it was a holy and pious thought.
  Thus he made atonement for the dead
  that they might be freed from this sin.
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT#2 Job 19:1, 23-27a
  I know that my Vindicator lives.
  A reading from the Book of Job
  
  Job answered Bildad the Shuhite 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!
  But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
  and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
  Whom I myself shall see:
  my own eyes, not another's, shall behold him;
  And from my flesh I shall see God;
  my inmost being is consumed with longing.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT#3 Wisdom 3:1-9
  
  As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
  A reading from the Book of Wisdom
  
  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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT#4 Wisdom 3:1-6, 9
  
  As sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
  A reading from the Book of Wisdom
  
  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.
  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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT#5 Wisdom 4:7-15
  
  An unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
  
  A reading from the Book of Wisdom
  
  The just man, though he die early,
  shall be at rest.
  For the age that is honorable comes not
  with the passing of time,
  nor can it be measured in terms of years.
  Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men,
  and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
  He who pleased God was loved;
  he who lived 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 this into account.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT#6 Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9
  
  He will destroy death forever.
  
  A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
  
  On this mountain the LORD of hosts
  will provide for all peoples.
  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!"
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT#7 Lamentations 3:17-26
  
  It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
  
  A reading from the Book of Lamentations
  
  My soul is deprived of peace,
  I have forgotten what happiness is;
  I tell myself my future is lost,
  all that I hoped for from the LORD.
  The thought of my homeless poverty
  is wormwood and gall;
  Remembering it over and over
  leaves my soul downcast within me.
  But I will call this to mind,
  as my reason to have hope:
  The favors of the LORD are not exhausted,
  his mercies are not spent;
  They are renewed each morning,
  so great is his faithfulness.
  My portion is the LORD, says my soul;
  therefore will I hope in him.
  Good is the LORD to one who waits for him,
  to the soul that seeks him;
  It is good to hope in silence
  for the saving help of the LORD.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  OT# 8 Daniel 12:1-3
  
  Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
  A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel
  
  In those days, I, Daniel, mourned
  and heard this word of the Lord:
  At that time there shall arise
  Michael, the great prince,
  guardian of your people;
  It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
  since nations began until that time.
  At that time your people shall escape,
  everyone who is found written in the book.
  Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;
  Some shall live forever,
  others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
  But the wise shall shine brightly
  like the splendor of the firmament,
  And those who lead the many to justice
  shall be like the stars forever.
  
  The word of the Lord.

Second Readings

Second Readings
- NT#1 Romans 5:5-11
  Since we are now justified by his Blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath.
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Hope does not disappoint,
  because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
  through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
  For Christ, while we were still helpless,
  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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#2 Romans 5:17-21
  
  Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  If, by the transgression of the one,
  death came to reign through that one,
  how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
  and of the gift of justification
  come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
  In conclusion, just as through one transgression
  condemnation came upon all,
  so, through one righteous act,
  acquittal and life came to all.
  For just as through the disobedience of the one man
  the many were made sinners,
  so through the obedience of the one
  the many will be made righteous.
  The law entered in so that transgression might increase
  but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that,
  as sin reigned in death,
  grace also might reign through justification for eternal life
  through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#3 Romans 6:3-9
  
  We too might live in newness of life.
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#4 Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
  
  We too might live in newness of life.
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  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.
  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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#5 Romans 8:14-23
  
  We also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons 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 firstfruits of the Spirit,
  we also groan within ourselves
  as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#6 Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
  
  What will separate us from the love of Christ?
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  If God is for us, who can be against us?
  He did not spare his own Son
  but handed him over for us all,
  will he not also give us everything else along with him?
  Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
  It is God who acquits us.
  Who will condemn?
  It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,
  who also is at the right hand of God,
  who indeed intercedes for us.
  What will separate us from the love of Christ?
  Will anguish, or distress or persecution, or famine,
  or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
  
  No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly
  through him who loved us.
  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
  nor angels, nor principalities,
  nor present things, nor future things,
  nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
  nor any other creature will be able to separate us
  from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#7 Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
  
  Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  No one lives for oneself,
  and no one dies for oneself.
  For if we live, we live for the Lord,
  and if we die, we die for the Lord;
  so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
  For this is why Christ died and came to life,
  that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
  Why then do you judge your brother?
  Or you, why do you look down on your brother?
  For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
  for it is written:
  
  As I live, says the Lord, every knee
  shall bend before me,
  and every tongue shall give praise to God.
  
  So then each of us shall give an accounting of himself to God.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#8 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
  
  So too in Christ shall all be brought to life.
  A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Christ has been raised from the dead,
  the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  For since death came through a man,
  the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
  For just as in Adam all die,
  so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
  but each one in proper order:
  Christ the firstfruits;
  then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
  then comes the end,
  when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father.
  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
  The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
  for "he subjected everything under his feet."
  But when it says that everything has been subjected,
  it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him.
  When everything is subjected to him,
  then the Son himself will also be subjected
  to the one who subjected everything to him,
  so that God may be all in all.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#9 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
  
  So too in Christ shall all be brought to life.
  A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Christ has been raised from the dead,
  the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  For since death came through a man,
  the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
  For just as in Adam all die,
  so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
  but each one in proper order:
  Christ the firstfruits;
  then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#10 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
  
  Death is swallowed up in victory.
  A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Behold, I 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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#11 2 Corinthians 4:14—5:1
  
  What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
  A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus
  will raise us also with Jesus
  and place us with you in his presence.
  Everything indeed is for you,
  so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
  may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
  Therefore, we are not discouraged;
  rather, although our outer self is wasting away,
  our inner self is being renewed day by day.
  For this momentary light affliction
  is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
  as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen;
  for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
  
  For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,
  should be destroyed,
  we have a building from God,
  a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#12 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
  
  We have a building from God, eternal in heaven.
  A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,
  should be destroyed,
  we have a building from God,
  a dwelling not made with hands,
  eternal in heaven.
  
  We are always courageous,
  although we know that while we are at home in the body
  we are away from the Lord,
  for we walk by faith, not by sight.
  Yet we are courageous,
  and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
  Therefore, we aspire to please him,
  whether we are at home or away.
  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
  so that each may receive recompense,
  according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#13 Philippians 3:20-21
  
  He will change our lowly bodies to conform to his glory.
  
  A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians
  
  Brothers and sisters:
  Our citizenship is in heaven,
  and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
  He will change our lowly body
  to conform with his glorified Body
  by the power that enables him also
  to bring all things into subjection to himself.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#14 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  
  Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
  A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians
  
  We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
  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.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#15 2 Timothy 2:8-13
  
  If we have died with him we shall also live with him.
  
  A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy
  
  Beloved:
  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
  such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering,
  even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
  But the word of God is not chained.
  Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
  so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
  together with eternal glory.
  This saying is trustworthy:
  If we have died with him
  we shall also live with him;
  if we persevere
  we shall also reign with him.
  But if we deny him
  he will deny us.
  If we are unfaithful
  he remains faithful,
  for he cannot deny himself.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#16 1 John 3:1-2
  
  We shall see him as he is.
  A reading from the first Letter of Saint John
  
  Beloved:
  See what love the Father has bestowed on us
  that we may be called the children of God.
  Yet so we are.
  The reason the world does not know us
  is that it did not know him.
  Beloved, we are God's children now;
  what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
  We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
  for we shall see him as he is.
  
  The word of the Lord.
  
  NT#17 1 John 3:14-16
  
  We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers.
  
  A reading from the first Letter of Saint John
  
  Beloved:
  We know that we have passed from death to life
  because we love our brothers.
  Whoever does not love remains in death.
  Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,
  and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
  The way we came to know love
  was that he laid down his life for us;
  so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
  
  The word of the Lord.

Suggested Hymns

Suggested Hymns

The list below is provided for your convenience. Approval of Hymns is at the discretion of the Parish Music Director and/or Pastor. Please note that non-Sacred or Liturgical Hymns will generally not be acceptable for use during Funeral Masses and Liturgies. Such songs would be more appropriately played during the Funeral Luncheon or perhaps another gathering. Members of the family, or friends of the deceased are welcome to sing or play an instrument as part of the Mass, if desired. Such a request should be made in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Opening Hymn
Amazing Grace
Be Not Afraid
For All the Saints
For You Are My God
Here I Am Lord
Love Divine, All Love Excelling
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
Sing With All the Saints in Glory
The Strife is O’er
We Remember

Presentation of the Gifts
All I Ask of You
Amazing Grace
Eye Has Not Seen
Here I Am, Lord
Hosea
How Great Thou Art
I Have Loved You
Lord of All Hopefulness
Lord You Have Come
Prayer of St. Francis
Shelter Me O God
The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Communion Hymn
Behold the Lamb
Gift of Finest Wheat
I Am the Bread of Life
Like a Shepherd
One Bread, One Body
Prayer of St. Francis
Shepherd Me, O God
Taste and See
We Remember
You Are Near

Hymn of Praise (optional)
Ave Maria
Golden Rose/Queen of Ireland
Hail Mary (Gentle Woman)
Holy Is His Name
Mary's Song

Song of Farewell
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Jesus Remember Me
O Loving God
Song of Farewell
Songs of the Angels

Recessional Hymn
Alleluia, Give Thanks to the Risen Lord
City of God
Holy God We Praise Thy Name
How Great Thou Art
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
O God Beyond All Praising
O God Our Help In Ages Past
On Eagle’s Wings
Sing a New Song
Sing With All the Saints in Glory
There’s a Wideness In God’s Mercy

Prayer of the Faithful Sample

Sample PRayer of the Faithful

The format shown here is a typical example of the Prayer of the Faithful. You are welcome to use this format, or to add your own petitions as desired. Please have the Priest Celebrant review any changes you wish to make to this format prior to Mass.

The Prayer of the Faithful

Priest: (Opening Prayer)
Our response is: Lord Hear our prayer.

Lector: For ______ who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that he/she may now be admitted to the company of the saints, we pray to the Lord.

Lector: For our brother/sister who ate the body of Christ,
The Bread of Life, that he/she may be raised up on
the last day, we pray to the Lord.

Lector: For those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again,
that they may see God face to face, we pray to the Lord.

Lector: For the family and friends of our brother/sister _________,
that they may be consoled in their grief by the Lord,
who wept at the death of his friend Lazarus,
we pray to the Lord.

Lector: For our deceased relatives and friends, especially:

and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward
of their goodness, we pray to the Lord.

Lector: For all of us gathered here to worship in faith,
that we may be gathered together again in God’s kingdom,
we pray to the Lord.

Priest: (Closing Prayer)

St. Vincent de Paul Parish

654 Hatboro Road | Richboro, PA 18954 | 215-357-5905

Funeral Planning

Introduction to Funeral Planning

First Readings

OT#1 2 Maccabees 12:43-46

OT#2 Job 19:1, 23-27a

Second Readings

NT#1 Romans 5:5-11

Suggested Hymns

Sample PRayer of the Faithful