Funerals

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Please contact the Rectory office at 1-708-366-0839 to schedule an appointment with the pastor concerning a funeral. 
See below for current archdiocese considerations for COVID-19.

A Catholic funeral consists of three parts, each of which may occur at different times.
1.  Vigil service, which takes place at the wake.

• Vigil Services (Wakes) are usually conducted either in the funeral home or in the parish church on the eve of the Funeral Mass. As a vigil, the faithful keep watch with the family in prayer, confident of God’s mercy and hopeful as they find strength in Christ’s presence.  As the first gathering of friends and family of the deceased, this Scripture or Evening Prayer Service also allows those unable to attend the Funeral Mass to pay their respects and provide support, prayers, and comfort to all those mourning the loss of a loved one.
• Evening Vigils should be scheduled the night before the Funeral Mass and the burial, but variations by exception are possible.  Eulogies, stories, and favorite songs are most appropriately shared during this time of visitation at the Evening Vigil.

2.  Funeral Mass, which is the traditional funeral ceremony.

• The Funeral Mass – Celebrating Mass with the body present has been the norm in our Catholic tradition.  On such occasions Christians join as a community of faith in the work of redemption taking place as the Risen Lord receives the deceased. At the funeral Mass we recall that just as we become one with Christ through our Baptism into his death, so now we pray that the deceased will be one with Christ in his Resurrection.
• Eulogies and Personal Remembrances can be given by one person. This takes place between the Post- Communion prayer and the end of Mass. The personal reflections should be limited to 3 minutes and are to be presented in writing to the pastoral minister assisting the family in advance of the service.

3.  Rite of Committal.

• Christian Burial has always been understood as one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. In accord with ancient Christian custom, the burial or entombing of the bodies of the dead takes place in a cemetery, which means “resting place”. 
• The Rite of Committal begins at the conclusion of the funeral rites and may be celebrated beside the open grave or place of interment.  In this way, the Christian community expresses the sure and certain hope that, with all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, the deceased is now welcomed into the glory of the Risen Lord, joining with all the saints in seeing God face to face. Accordingly, the following should be kept in mind:  1.  Full-body burial is the preference of the Church.  2.  The cremated remains of the human body are to be placed in sacred ground and are never to be scattered or separated. Burying the remains of the faithful confirms one's faith in the resurrection of the body. The teachings of the Church call for us to care for the cremated remains of the human body with the same respect and dignity that we care for casketed remains of our loved ones.

 
COVID-19 considerations

No social gathering is allowed in parish buildings or on parish property before or after the service.

On March 18, 2020, The Archdiocese of Chicago Distributed the Following Guidelines and Policies on Funerals, Wakes and Viewings, and Committals to Clergy and Parish Staff
Given recent questions about funerals and wakes, it is important to clarify and reiterate current guidelines and policies, keeping in mind that those already issued by Cardinal Cupich on Friday, March 13, allow for funerals and other liturgies under certain conditions. These guidelines and policies are in effect until further notice.

Wakes and Viewings

• Viewings at the funeral home can only be conducted when the body has been embalmed.
• Wakes and visitation can proceed with immediate family members, but again should not exceed more than 10 people in attendance at any given time
• Social distancing (six feet) should be observed as much as possible
• Care should be taken to provide comfort to the bereaved without physical contact
• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes should be provided
• Funeral directors must consider how best to comply by the guidelines provided by the CDC and the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Funerals

• Funerals can proceed with immediate family members but should not exceed more than 10 people (this number is per CDC guidance as of Tuesday, March 17, and is in effect until further notice).  If this condition is met, the funeral Mass must take place in the church.
• It is strongly recommended that no one from a vulnerable population attend
• Social distancing (six feet) should be observed with attendees requested to sit apart
• No physical contact at any point; no physical Sign of Peace, while offering comfort, etc.
• If Holy Communion is distributed it is to be done so in the hand; please suspend the sharing of the common cup for the blood of Christ
• After the funeral Mass, the physical space within the church must be cleaned and sanitized.

Committal - The committal of the body should be done at the grave site; again, with immediate family not to exceed 10 people.