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Funeral Policies

- All practicing Catholics have a right to a funeral and burial according to the Rites of the Church. By practicing Catholic is meant someone who has:
  
  Practiced the Sacraments according to the norms of the Church and fulfilled the other obligations of the Catholic life.
  
  Never formally renounced the Faith or stated that they did not want to be known as Catholic.
  
  If not a practicing Catholic before, has returned to the Faith by accepting the Sacraments before death.
  
  The right to a Catholic funeral takes precedence over the desires, feelings, and wishes of the family. Mass cannot be denied because children who have stopped practicing the Faith or joined other churches may be uncomfortable, or to avoid offending non-Catholic family and friends.
  
  The Catholic Funeral Rite has three parts: the Vigil or Rosary, the Mass, and the Burial of the body or ashes.
  
  The Vigil/Rosary
  
  Depending on the varying needs of each family, the Vigil takes place in the church or funeral home at 7:00 PM on the night preceding the Funeral Mass. The Vigil usually consists of the recitation of the Holy Rosary, visitation, and a eulogy (if one is to be given).
  
  The Funeral Mass
  
  Funerals at St. Peter's Church take place on weekdays or Saturdays at 10:00 AM, unless the particular needs of the family require a different time. Funeral services may not displace the scheduled liturgies at St. Peter's (e.g., weekday Masses, Sunday Masses, or weddings).
  
  The readings and music for the Funeral Mass may be chosen by the family from the lists of approved readings and songs. The Office Staff and the Music Director discuss these options with the family in preparation for the funeral. The family may also choose to have the readings and music selected for them by our competent Staff.
  
  If some of the family members wish to participate in the Funeral Mass by reading, singing, or serving as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, they may do so, with the following requirements: if serving as Extraordinary Ministers, they must be trained to serve in that capacity, either at St. Peter's or at the parish they are from; if singing, they must notify the Music Director and arrange to rehearse with him.
  
  The Funeral Mass begins with the reception of the body at the door of the church. The casket is sprinkled with holy water and clothed with the pall in reminder of Baptism (if the deceased has earned the right to have their casket draped with the national flag, the flag is removed at this time and replaced with the pall).
  
  During Holy Communion, those practicing Catholics who are properly disposed, in a state of grace, and who have fasted for one hour may come forward to receive Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. All others are asked to remain prayerfully in their place.
  
  At the end of the Funeral Mass, the casket is brought out again, accompanied by the antiphon "In Paradisum."
  
  The Burial
  
  If the body or ashes are to be buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, they are taken to the place of burial, accompanied by Father and the procession of family and friends. The body or ashes are then committed with a brief prayer service.
- What about Cremation?
  
  Although the Church recommends that the custom of burying the dead be observed, assuming proper motives, cremation is permissible. It is essential that cremation is not chosen in denial of the resurrection of the body. Most importantly, cremated remains must be treated with the same respect as a body. The ashes must be buried, not scattered, nor may the family keep the urn of ashes as a memorial in the home.
- Memorials and Masses
  
  Family and friends usually leave donations in small envelopes (provided by the funeral home) to be used as memorials or stipends for Masses for the deceased. Please follow these policies when disposing of the monies collected:
  
  All checks made out to St. Peter's must be submitted to the church. If you wish to have Mass stipends from this amount sent to another parish, we can oblige you.
  
  St. Peter's accepts no more than 10 Masses for the recently deceased. The suggested stipend for a Mass is $5.
  
  To submit Mass intentions to the Office, make out 1 check to St. Peter's Church for the amount to be used for Mass stipends. Remeber to specify any particular dates when you wish Masses to be said, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
  
  Some families ask for memorials to be made to St. Peter's Restoration. If you would like to do this, notify the funeral directors of your wishes. Checks made out for this purpose should indicate "Restoration" or "Ensuring Our Future" in the memo line.

Saint Peter's
Catholic Church

Lindsay, Texas

Funeral Policies

What about Cremation?

Memorials and Masses