"In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his Death and Resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity."
Upon the loss of a loved one, planning a funeral can be an overwhelming task. Our staff will assist you each step of the way with support and care. The procedure laid out below will assist you to prepare what is necessary for a proper Catholic funeral and burial.
- Upon the loss of a loved one, please contact the parish office (701) 235-5757 to make arrangements for a Funeral and Wake (Vigil) service. This can be done through a local funeral home as well.
- The family will come in to the parish office to meet with one of the priests to prepare the liturgy and share important information for the funeral. It is best to have this meeting at least 3-4 days before the funeral if possible, to allow time and communication for all involved with the liturgy.
- If a meal is desired following the funeral, please make catering arrangements with the funeral home and be prepared to share information with the parish. Our parish family offers baked goods, coffee, and water for no charge in addition to volunteer servers to provide hospitality and comfort to you and your guests during a funeral meal.
Funeral Liturgy Planning
To assist your liturgy planning, we have a set of pre-selected readings that you may choose to have for the Wake (Vigil) or Mass. We also have 3 templates for a Funeral Mass that may assist you in choosing music for the liturgy. Click on one of the template options listed below to see and hear the music options for each template:
Opening: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (KINGSFOLD)
Offertory: Abide with Me (EVENTIDE)
Communion: Lead, Kindly Light (SANDON)
Song of Farewell “Come to his/her aid…” (OLD HUNDREDTH)
Recessional: Jerusalem, My Happy Home (LAND OF REST)
Opening: On Eagle’s Wings – Michael Joncas
Offertory: Amazing Grace (NEW BRITAIN)
Communion: The King of Love, My Shepherd Is (ST COLUMBA)
Song of Farewell “Come to his/her aid…” (OLD HUNDREDTH)
Recessional: How Great Thou Art (HOW GREAT THOU ART)
Opening: “Eternal rest grant unto him/her…” (Entrance Chant)
Offertory: “O Lord Jesus Christ…” (Offertory Chant)
Communion: “Let perpetual light…” (Communion Chant)
Final Commendation: “Saints of God…” (Chant)
Recessional (Latin Chant): In paradisum (Chant)
OR
Recessional (English Hymn): May Choirs of Angels Lead You (CHRISTUS, DER IST MEIN LEBEN)
STANDARD READINGS:
First Reading: “The souls of the just are in the hand of God…” (Wisdom 3: 1-9)
Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” (Psalm 23: 1)
Second Reading: “…just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might live in newness of life.”
(Rom 6: 3-9)
Gospel: “…In my Father’s house are many dwelling places…”
(John 14: 1-6)
LITURGICAL ROLES FOR THE FUNERAL MASS
A Funeral Mass may have:
-Readers (Between 1-2 people to read the First & Second Readings)
-Gift Bearers (Anywhere between 1-5 people to bring up the gifts)
Commonly, a family member will proclaim the readings, or bring up the gifts at the Offertory. These roles may be fulfilled by anyone who is prepared to serve in that particular role in the Catholic Church. In the event there are no family or friends of the deceased able to fulfill the necessary roles, our parish family is happy to offer a fellow parishioner to fulfill a role within the liturgy.
Sts. Anne & Joachim parish will, unless otherwise coordinated, provide the musicians for each Wake (Vigil) and Funeral Mass. Typically, a solo cantor and organist are provided from among the parish musicians, who are trained to lead congregational song and other music for the funeral liturgy.
Liturgical Guidance
-There is no eulogy offered during the Funeral Mass. Should the family desire a time for sharing or special remembrances, this is appropriately done at the Vigil (Wake) service the night before the funeral. This may also be done at a meal following the Mass and/or burial in our social hall.
-Only approved sacred music may be sung or played during a Funeral Mass. for further guidance on this topic, please see the USCCB webpage on Music at Funerals.
-It is customary to use incense at Funeral Masses, especially at the end of Mass to commend our faithful departed. If you wish not to have incense due to allergies/sensitivities, please let us know.