If you are visiting this page due to the loss of a loved one, please accept our sincere condolences. The priests and Pastoral Staff of Saint Sebastian desire to be a source of consolation to you and your family at this difficult time. Please include us in your preparation of the Funeral Liturgy.
The following information is provided to assist in the preparation of the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Sebastian. You are also invited to visit the Diocese of Providence’s Catholic Cemeteries website for more information (https://dioceseofprovidence.org/catholic-cemeteries-1).
The Order of Christian Burial
All the baptized are entitled to the full Rite of Christian Burial. You and your family will experience the Rite of Christian Burial in three distinct and important parts:
The Wake Service
This usually takes place during the visiting hours at the funeral home you have chosen. It is appropriate during the Wake Service to have a member of the family or friends offer words of remembrance for the deceased. This is the time for the eulogy.
The Mass of Christian Burial
The Mass is the most perfect prayer we can offer to the Father. And, it is the perfect prayer we have which we offer on behalf of another person. It is the time-honored tradition of our Catholic Faith to celebrate the Mass of the burial day. The bodily remains are honored by being brought to the Church. We celebrate the life of the deceased in the whole context of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
If the deceased is to be cremated, the Mass of Christian Burial should precede the cremation.
Eulogies are NOT allowed as part of the Funeral Mass. Families may say some words of remembrance at the wake or committal site.
The Committal
A parish priest or deacon will accompany the remains and the family to the cemetery, where the Rite of Christian Burial will conclude with the prayers of Committal and Final Commendation. Should one wish to speak in memory of the deceased, as in a eulogy or a remembrance, the Rite of Christian Burial allows for such to usually take place as part of the Prayer of Commendation that will be prayed at the cemetery. If the deceased has been cremated, their remains are to be buried like any other body in blessed ground. The act of burial is the final tribute we offer our deceased love ones, by giving their body, this temple of the Holy Spirit to await the Resurrection of the Last Day.
Pastoral Considerations for the Mass of Christian Burial
A funeral may be celebrated on any day of the week, except Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. There are also some restrictions concerning funerals during Holy Week. The priest will discuss these restrictions as they apply. The funeral liturgy is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church, not the funeral home.
The funeral liturgy is one of the most beautiful and meaningful celebrations of the Church. Your family has the option of personalizing the Mass by choosing the Scripture readings and by requesting specific hymns (see links below).
Readings
When choosing scriptures, there should be one reading from the Old Testament, and one reading from the New Testament. Although you can choose from the whole Bible, the texts linked below are especially appropriate.
Music
Please be aware that only Sacred Music may be used at a Funeral Liturgy. As liturgical music magnifies the spoken word, music is a beautiful offering within the Mass of Christian Burial. Music brings comfort and peace to the loved ones attending the Funeral Mass.
In the rich liturgical tradition of our Church, there is a treasury of prescribed music for the Mass of Christian Burial. This treasury, in both Latin and English, reflects the believers' faith and hope in the Resurrection and the forgiveness of sins. The best person to guide the family in the choice of music is the Music Coordinator. It is not incumbent upon the loved ones of the deceased, or the funeral director, to choose music for the liturgy. If no particular music is requested, we will choose appropriate music based on the liturgical season and readings chosen for the Mass of Christian Burial. Sometimes a particular hymn, perhaps a favorite of the deceased, will be requested. If you have any preferences, please indicate them. The Parish will make every effort to include the requests of the family. Unless the deceased has served in the Armed Services of our country, patriotic hymns are inappropriate. A list of appropriate songs, hymns, and psalms may be discussed with our Music Coordinator.
Additionally, because Mass is a live celebration of faith, pre-recorded or secular music is not used at St. Sebastian.