Catholics believe that at death “Life is changed, not ended.”  Death is a passage to a newer and fuller life, and ultimately to resurrection and eternal union with God.  The Church emphasizes life in the funeral liturgy.  The resurrection is the theme, and the readings, hymns, and prayers reflect the overall tone of expectant joy.   During a Catholic funeral we gather to pray for the repose of the soul of the one who has died, and to ask that God will strengthen and console family and friends.

At the funeral we derive strength from our Christian faith, which provides the true consolation we find in the resurrection of Jesus, our source of hope in times of sorrow.  Our attention is centered on Jesus, who speaks to us through the Scriptures, and who comes to us in the Holy Eucharist in our time of grief.

Please review the information below and contact us at the parish office at 314-961-8400 so we can answer your questions and assure that the funeral ceremony captures our faith and hope in the resurrection as well as reflects the life of your loved one as a disciple of Christ.

                      Funeral/Memorial Mass Guidelines at St. Mary Magdalen

SCHEDULING A FUNERAL
Please contact Deacon Greg Bialis at 314-961-8400 x106 as soon as possible to schedule the service, confirm the priest and the church availability.  Funerals or memorial Masses are held at 9:30 am.  This is especially important for collaboration with those having burial at Jefferson Barracks.
The planning of the funeral/memorial Mass is done in advance with the Parish Pastoral Associate.  At that time, liturgical details will be decided.  Hymns must be selected from the Catholic Funeral Music Sheet with their placement in the liturgy selected by the music director.  Readings and family participation will be decided at the meeting with the Pastoral Associate.

EULOGIES
Sometimes people desire to have a eulogy for their loved one.  Although it is not encouraged, the policy for eulogies at St. Mary Magdalen is:

• The eulogy must be given before Holy Mass at 9:15 am by only one person.
• The eulogy must be submitted to the priest or deacon in writing 24 hours in advance of the funeral. The priest or deacon is the guardian of the sacred liturgy and needs to care for the integrity of the service and the reputation of the loved one.

• Eulogies can also be posted on the information and consolation page on the email page provided by the Funeral Home.  Please contact your Funeral Home for this option.

• No one is permitted in the sanctuary, funeral staff or otherwise.
• No food or drink is permitted in the church or church basement. (Water is ok for immediate family if they wish to bring it.  The Church does not provide bottled water/snacks or a room for family to gather for refreshments).
• No moving of any church furniture (chairs, kneelers, tables, candles etc)
• The Chapel is not to be used for visitation or other funeral related activities.
• Church floral arrangements are NOT to be moved during high holy seasons: Christmas and Easter. They are not to be moved at any time without consultation with the Parish decorating committee.
• The mortuary must remove all funeral floral arrangements from the church after the visitation/service. It will not be the responsibility of the church to dispose of flowers or contact the family for removal.

Stipends for funeral/memorial Masses:
            $200 for organist
            $200 for the soloist
            $200  for the Church
            Free will offering for the priest/celebrant
            $10 each for the servers (there are usually three servers)

St. Mary Magdalen is a place of worship, and your respectful compliance with these guidelines is appreciated and will help keep our church a holy space.

Respectfully,
Monsignor Timothy Cronin
Pastor, Saint Mary Magdalen – Brentwood
October, 2022