The staff of St Paul VI Parish, which consists of the communities of Mater Christi, St Mary, and St Hugh, is here to assist you in preparing and celebrating the funeral Mass for your loved one. Below, we present a simple outline of choices you may use to personalize the mass for you and your family. All of these are suggestions; you may choose any sacred music that is familiar or important to you. Cheryl Skoda will assist in any musical questions or special requests you have; please call her with any questions at 708-447-1020.

You may ask a family member or friend to read the First Reading, the Second Reading, and/or the Universal Prayer. If your family and loved ones prefer not to be readers at the Mass, we at St Paul VI will make sure we have readers available. Likewise, if there are Eucharistic Ministers or altar servers in your family, please let Father know and those members may assist at the Mass. All of us at St Paul VI want to be of service to you during this time of sorrow.

Below are links to some suggested readings from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops as well as links to some suggested songs that are frequently chosen for funerals. You can find most of these songs in the parish’s Gather hymnal.

Please select four musical selections and one responsorial psalm.  The music director will place them within the mass at the liturgically appropriate moment.
​(If you are planning to create a worship aide, please email Cheryl Skoda, (cskoda@stpaulviparish.org) with your selections prior to printing.)

Funeral Mass Outline

I.  Entrance Hymn
II.  First Reading
This reading is taken from the Old Testament. You can choose the readings in the book “Through Death to Life” or you can search through the bible to find a reading that speaks to the life or example of your loved one, for example search for the word generous. Remember to choose the New American Bible or New Revised Standard Catholic Edition as your source. An easy search tool is Biblegateway.com.
III.  Responsorial Psalm
IV.  Second Reading
This reading is taken from the New Testament. You may choose anything the bishops recommend, or you may choose an appropriate text from any book in the New Testament (excluding the gospels).
V.  The Gospel
This reading is proclaimed by the priest. You can choose any reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.
VI.  Homily
Father gives a short reflection on the scripture and relates it to your loved one. We will ask you to fill out a simple questionnaire so that Father can speak about your loved one.
VII.  Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)
You make ask a relative or friend to read these short prayers or Father can pray them. There are sample prayers in the book Through Death to Life or you may write some.

You may use one of the following formulas, combine parts of several together, adapt the material below to your circumstances, or compose one of your own.
Option 1
Priest: Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for the Church. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join in our prayers to his:

Lector: Our response is Lord, hear our prayer

Lector: In baptism _____ received the light of Christ.
Scatter the darkness now and lead him/her over the waters of death. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: Our brother/sister _____ was nourished at the table of the Savior. Welcome him/her into the halls of the heavenly banquet. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day.
Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against your love, and gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give refreshment, rest, and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: The family and friends of _____ seek comfort and consolation. Heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister _____. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s coming. We pray to the Lord.
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Priest: Lord God, giver of peace and healer of souls, hear the prayers of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the voices of your people, whose lives were purchased by the blood of the Lamb. Forgive the sins of all who sleep in Christ and grant them a place in the kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Option 2
Priest: God, the almighty Father, raised Christ his Son from the dead; with confidence we ask him to save all his people, living and dead:

Lector: 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 our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness. 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 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 all of us assembled here to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God’s kingdom. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: God, our shelter and our strength, you listen in love to the cry of your people: Hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters. Cleanse them of their sins and grant them the fullness of redemption. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Option 3
Priest: My dear friends, let us join with one another in praying to God, not only for our departed brother/sister, but also for the Church, for peace in the world and for ourselves.

Lector: Our response is Lord, hear our prayer

Lector: That the bishops and priests of the Church, and all who preach the Gospel, may be given the strength to express in action the word they proclaim. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That those in public office may promote justice and peace. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That those who bear the cross of pain in mind or body may never feel forsaken by God. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may deliver the soul of his servant _____ from punishment and from the powers of darkness. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God in his mercy may blot out all his/her offenses. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may establish him/her in light and peace. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may welcome into his glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may give a place in the kingdom of heaven to all the faithful departed. We pray to the Lord.
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Priest: O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your departed servants release from all their sins. Hear our prayers for those we love and give them the pardon they have always desired. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Option 4
Priest: My dear friends, let us join with one another in praying to God, not only for our departed brother/sister, but also for the church, for peace in the world, and for ourselves.

Lector: Our response is Lord, hear our prayer

Lector: That the bishops and priests of the Church, and all who preach the Gospel, may be given the strength to express in action the word they proclaim. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That those in public office may promote justice and peace. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That those who bear the cross of pain in mind or body may never feel forsaken by God. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may deliver the soul of his servant _____. from punishment and from the powers of darkness. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God in his mercy may blot out all his/her offenses. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may establish him/her in light and peace. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may call him/her to happiness in the company of all the saints. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may welcome into his glory those of our family and friends who have departed this life. We pray to the Lord.

Lector: That God may give a place in the kingdom of heaven to all the faithful departed. We pray to the Lord.
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Priest: O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your departed servants release from all their sins. Hear our prayers for those we love and give them the pardon they have always desired. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Option 5
Priest: Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father where he intercedes for his Church. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to his:

Lector: Our response is Hear our prayer

Lector: In baptism _____. received the light of Christ. Scatter the darkness now and lead him/her over the waters of death. Lord, in your mercy.

Lector: Our brother/sister _____. was nourished at the table of the Savior. Welcome him/her into the halls of the heavenly banquet. Lord, in your mercy:

Lector: Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. Lord, in your mercy:

Lector: Many people die by violence, war, and famine each day.
Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against your love, and gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace. Lord, in your mercy:

Lector: Those who trusted in the Lord now sleep in the Lord. Give them refreshment, rest and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone. Lord, in your mercy:

Lector: The family and friends of _____. seek comfort and consolation.
Heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. Lord, in your mercy:

Priest: We are assembled here in faith and confidence to pray for our brother/sister ________. Strengthen our hope so that we may live in the expectation of your Son’s coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
VIII.  Preparation of the Gifts
IX.  Communion Songs
X.  Words of Remembrance
You may ask someone to give a short remembrance of your loved one. This can be a remembering of some special traits and (or) inspiring qualities of your loved one. It is best to have the words written down, many times family and friends will request a copy of the reflection. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Matt Nemchausky at 708-447-1020 and he will assist you.
XI.  Song of Farewell
XII.  Closing Hymn
We suggest that this song and the Entrance hymn/song be something that is familiar to your family and friends.